A French court has ruled for the first time that cosmic radiation was a factor in an air stewardess's breast cancer. This decision has prompted comments from scientists regarding the link between radiation exposure and cancer.
Professor Jim Smith from the University of Portsmouth stated that it is impossible to determine if radiation caused an individual cancer. However, current radiation protection guidance suggests that even small doses could potentially cause cancer, with lower doses carrying lower risks.
Based on this hypothesis, air crew who regularly fly at high altitudes might face a small additional risk of cancer due to cosmic ray doses. Professor Smith noted that cancer is a common disease, making it statistically difficult to observe increases in cancer rates among air crew specifically due to cosmic radiation, especially given other lifestyle factors like sun exposure and irregular sleeping patterns.