Flight attendant’s breast cancer was occupational disease, court rules

A French court has recognized breast cancer as an occupational disease for former Air France flight attendant Sophie Lainault, marking a first for the country's aviation industry. The ruling, made in Bayonne in early July, acknowledged that Lainault's illness was linked to her extensive night work and exposure to passive smoking during over 12,600 flight hours between 1989 and 2019. This decision, which Lainault hopes will help other women, sets a legal precedent as breast cancer is not officially listed as an occupational disease in France. The court cited night work, radiation exposure, and passive smoking as contributing factors, despite previous regional committee conclusions. Air France stated it was not a party to the proceedings and that employee health and safety is a priority.

A French court in Bayonne has ruled that cosmic radiation was a contributing factor in the breast cancer of former Air France flight attendant Sophie Lainault, recognizing her illness as an occupational disease. Lainault, who worked 12,600 flight hours between 1989 and 2019, also faced exposure to passive smoking and prolonged night work, identified as other carcinogenic hazards of her profession. This landmark decision allows Lainault, who is in remission, to take early retirement with full reimbursement of treatment costs. The ruling is expected to pave the way for similar claims from other flight crews by establishing breast cancer as an officially recognized occupational risk for the profession.