Recent study conducted by US researchers revealed that airline pilots have higher risks of getting melanoma, a type of skin cancer. They are at an increased risk due to regular exposure of harmful ultraviolet rays emitted by the Sun.

Researchers analyzed 19 studies, which included more than 266,000 people. After the analysis, researchers found that incidence of melanoma between 2.21 and 2.22 times higher for pilots and 2.09 times more for flight attendants, which is almost twice the rate of the general public.

Ultraviolet rays are considered as the main reason behind higher instances of melanoma. These rays penetrate through glass cockpit windscreens at high altitudes, thus putting pilots at higher risk of developing and dying of melanoma.

Study reported that an altitude 9,000 meters above the sea level is the one opted by most of the commercial jets. Ultraviolet rays have a double effect on the pilots, as these rays are very powerful at such a high altitude.

Researchers also found that pilots and flight crew are very well aware of the risk from ionizing radiations, but then also ultraviolet exposure is not considered to be an occupational hazard.

Sources reveal that in 2014, about 76, 000 cases of people suffering from melanoma were diagnosed in the United States of America and 9,710 were expected to die from the disease.

Dr. Susana-Ortiz-Urda, the director of UCSF Melanoma Center at the University of California said that aviation companies must take preventive measures as soon as possible. She also said that aviation companies must make windows of their planes more protective, so that they can prevent the UV rays from seeping through the glass.

Adding to it, she said that more studies must be carried out regarding the effect of exposure to UV rays and their effect on pilots and crew members.