French court links flight attendant's breast cancer to cosmic radiation

A French court has for the first time recognised cosmic radiation as a factor in the breast cancer of a former Air France flight attendant, in a landmark ruling that could open the door to similar claims. Sophie Lainault, 59, who worked for Air France from 1989 to 2019, logged more than 12,600 flight hours, over half of them at night Source: BBC. The court in Bayonne ruled in early July that her cancer was an occupational disease, citing three hazards: cosmic radiation, passive smoking (allowed on Air France flights until 2000), and prolonged night work Source: Euronews. The ruling also noted that no genetic or lifestyle factor could explain her illness Source: Euronews.

Legal significance

Breast cancer is not on France's official list of occupational diseases, so recognition required a lengthy procedure. Two regional committees had previously rejected Lainault's claim Source: The Guardian. Her lawyer, Elisabeth Leroux, said the final, unappealed judgment sets a legal precedent Source: The Guardian. Lainault, now in remission, said she hopes the decision encourages other women to come forward Source: BBC. The ruling allows her to take early retirement with full reimbursement of treatment Source: BBC.

Reactions and context

Air France, not a party to the proceedings, said it had not been informed of the court's reasoning and stressed that employee health and safety are an "absolute priority" Source: Euronews. This is not the first such case in France: in 2023, a nurse who worked nights for 28 years and was exposed to radiation won similar recognition Source: The Guardian. Breast cancer remains the deadliest cancer among women in France, causing nearly 13,000 deaths annually Source: Euronews.