French flight attendant's breast cancer is recognised as occupational disease

A former Air France flight attendant has had her breast cancer recognised as an occupational disease, an unprecedented ruling in the French aviation sector.

Now in remission, 59-year-old Sophie Lainault worked for the French airline for thirty years, from 1989 to 2019, first as a flight attendant and then as chief purser on long-haul flights. In total, she logged more than 12,600 flight hours, over 6,500 of them at night.

Night work, radiation and passive smoking

In early July, a court in Bayonne recognised the occupational origin of her cancer. In reaching its decision, the court notably took into account her regular night work, her exposure to ionising radiation and to passive smoking, as smoking was permitted on board Air France aircraft until 2000.

The court also noted that no genetic factor or element linked to lifestyle could explain the illness.

The ruling comes after a long battle. Two regional committees responsible for recognising occupational diseases had previously found that the link between her work and her cancer had not been established.

As breast cancer does not appear in the official lists of occupational diseases in France, obtaining such recognition requires a specific procedure that is often long and complex. Sophie Lainault says she pursued this fight for two and a half years, with the support of CFDT union activists.

A ruling that could set a precedent

According to her lawyer, Elisabeth Leroux, this final judgment, which has not been appealed, could set a legal precedent and pave the way for similar actions by other flight crew.

"It is truly my dearest wish that this opens the way for other women who, until now, might not have dared to come forward", said Sophie Lainault.

For the former flight attendant, this recognition will notably allow her to take early retirement.

Air France, which was not a party to the proceedings, says it has not been informed of the court's reasoning. The airline stresses that "employees' health and safety at work are an absolute priority".

This is not the first time breast cancer has been recognised as an occupational disease in France. In 2023, a nurse who had worked nights for 28 years and been exposed to radiation obtained similar recognition.

Breast cancer remains the deadliest cancer among women in France, causing nearly 13,000 deaths every year.

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