A French court in Bayonne has, for the first time, recognized cosmic radiation as a contributing factor to the breast cancer of Sophie Lainault, a 59-year-old former Air France flight attendant. Lainault sought to have her cancer classified as an occupational disease caused by workplace conditions. The court ruling identified cosmic radiation as one of three carcinogenic hazards associated with her profession.

Lainault, who is currently in remission, accumulated 12,600 flight hours between 1989 and 2019 as a stewardess and later purser on Air France flights. The decision allows her to take early retirement with full reimbursement for any further treatment by the French health system. Lawyers note that this ruling may pave the way for similar claims by other flight crew members.

According to analysis, approximately 6.9% of deaths among flight attendants and 6.7% among pilots are from radiation-related cancers. However, Jim Smith, professor of environmental science at the University of Portsmouth, emphasized that it is impossible to definitively determine whether an individual cancer case was caused by radiation. He stated, "From the known cosmic ray dose to air crew, and based on this hypothesis, we might expect that air crew regularly flying at high altitudes would have a small additional risk of cancer."

Lainault expressed hope that the ruling will encourage other women to come forward: "My dearest wish is that the decision encourages other women who up until now have not had the courage to take this step."

The court's recognition marks the first time in France that breast cancer has been officially linked to the hazards faced by air-hostesses, although similar links have been established for other professions such as nursing. Air France stated, "The health and security of our staff is an absolute imperative," and noted that every employee receives medical accompaniment exceeding regulatory minimums.

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