#59 Women on the flight deck: Disease prevalence among female airline pilots in four us airlines

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to calculate disease prevalence among female commercial airline pilots using data from self-report. Because the majority of aviators historically have been men, little is known about the health impact of commercial flying on the increasing number of women entering this profession. METHODS: Through collaboration with the Air Line Pilots Association International (ALPA), health and lifestyle surveys were mailed to all women flying for each of four selected US airlines. Self-reported data were used to calculate duration prevalence for the study period. RESULTS: Of the 400 surveys mailed to women, 188 were returned (47% response rate). Respondent age ranged from 25 to 60 years, with an average age of 40 years, and racial distribution as follows: 172 white, 5 black, 3 Asian, 1 Hispanic, 7 unspecified. The only non-cancer diseases with more than 1 reported case were hypertension (5 cases) and high cholesterol (20 cases). A total of 14 cancers were reported: 4 breast, 3 cervix, 5 non-melanoma skin, 1 melanoma, and 1 thyroid. All four breast cancers occurred since 1997 among 91 white women in the age group 40–54 (4.4% of this age, gender group). The 5-year SEER limited duration prevalence for the same age, gender group is 2.3%. Available data did not permit adjustment for parity, age at first pregnancy, or other potential confounders of breast cancer rates. CONCLUSION: The suggested increase in breast cancer is consistent with findings from studies of flight attendants. However, a much larger study, with improved response rate and more confounder information, is needed to assure valid statistical analysis. To this end, a detailed survey on womenʹs health has been mailed to all female commercial airline pilots across all ALPA airlines (2112 women across 42 airlines). The survey includes questions on disease, fertility, pregnancy outcomes, and hormone use.