ualjoe

There are an increasing number of studies showing that shift workers, i.e. those whose work entails frequent circadian rhythm disruption, suffer from high rates of prostate or breast cancer in comparison to the general population.

rickair7777

Could be. But correlation is not the same as causation.

Could be that shift workers mostly come from lower economic demographics, which tend toward less healthy lifestyle choices and may not have as good a health plan as as say upper middle class folks who tend to work 9-5.

Or it could also be that shift work makes you eat like crap. I'm more prone to choosing comfort food when working night shifts.

PipeMan

Agree with what Rickair said. The overnight work especially does not always allow for the healthiest of eating habits and exercise routines. It seems that airline pilots can best protect themselves by:

-Sticking on a consistent schedule while avoiding long, overnight flights. Do a couple of 1 or 2-day trips a week with short legs that get done in the afternoon so you're back home by dinner time.

-Eat a plant-based diet while exercising as much as possible during the week.

-Retiring much earlier than age 65. At the latest, age 50. This may give you a better shot at reversing the aging process and unhealthy lifestyle of airline flying.


Any other points I missed?

ApachePhil

I've heard that pilots have a higher rate of many cancers...probably because pilots get physicals every 6 months and cancers are caught more frequently. But yes, our lifestyle is typically unhealthy, therefore it takes much more care and effort to maintain one's health. I'd start by diet and rest. Focus on both and then include frequent moderate exercise. Those 3 things alone will more than level the field between us and the general population.

SonicFlyer

Cosmic radiation at higher altitudes

AirBear

Pilots get melanoma at twice the rate of the general population. I learned that after a malignant melanoma was found on the crown of my head. Luckily it was found before it could metastasize.

JohnBurke

Generic statement, no links. Just throwing it out there to see what sticks? Stirring the pot. Hoping a conversation follows?

What do four out of five dentists recommend?

rickair7777

Correlation is not automatically causation. We also tend to be more action-adventure outdoor personalities, and have more free time to be outdoors than your average cube dweller. Sun exposure is DEFINITELY known to cause skin cancers. Direct, not through 8 layers of glass and poly.

"Fly fast, I'm catching the red-eye home to FL so I can take the boat out fishing tomorrow"

Heard that 1,000 times.


"Fly fast, I can still catch my world of warcraft weekly dungeon group"

Don't recall hearing that even once.


Oops just dripped sweat on the keyboard, from my six mile run.


But I would agree that anything which interferes with a healthy lifestyle probably impairs your immune system, be it circadian, crap diet, lack of exercise, commute stress, etc.

AirBear

That's true. What I've read is pilots get melanoma at the same rate as farmers. It's a good point about pilots being more outdoor oriented than the general public.
My Skin Doc told me to wear a hat anytime I'm exposed to the sun. That was fine at the regional I was flying for, but when I went to NetJets and discovered they didn't wear hats I had to get a "hat wavier" which was easy back then, just a quick email to the CP of my fleet.

The big thing with melanoma and any other cancer is reporting it to the FAA. I used common sense which was a mistake. My cancer was found a month after my FAA physical. It was cut off, the piece was sent in to verify they got it all. The surgery was less than one hour, he even let my wife watch. Got confirmation a few days later everything was good. So I went back to work a couple days later. Next physical I called my AME's nurse and asked how I should report it. She didn't know so I called AMAS. The Doc there called me back and informed me I had been flying illegally since the surgery. Even though I was perfectly healthy I had to stop flying for over a month and send paperwork and Doctor's notes to the FAA. I was finally cleared to fly with an "admonishment" to obey regs next time. Lesson was anything with cancer is grounding until the FAA reviews the diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis.

rickair7777

Yup. Most cardiac issues would be the same.

Possible exception for basil or squamas cell skin cancers, but research it or call AMAS to be safe.