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22 February 2012 09:11
Cancer Research UK said airline passengers do not face any additional risk from cosmic radiation
Travellers who fly regularly do not have an increased risk of developing cancer, leading experts have said.
Airline passengers are sometimes thought to be more exposed to cosmic radiation, which reaches the earth from space and can damage DNA.
The earth's atmosphere shields us from the majority of this radiation, but it becomes thinner high above the earth's surface, suggesting that passengers in an aeroplane could be more exposed than those on the ground.
But Cancer Research UK has confirmed that flying on a commercial airline is a safe way to travel, with no increased risk from radiation.
The charity said airline passengers are no more at risk from cancer than anyone else, as they only receive a very small amount of radiation.
Those who have been diagnosed with cancer may be concerned about the difficulties of finding travel insurance with medical conditions, but a range of specialist policies are available to provide suitable cover.
Theoretically, no level of radiation can be considered to be completely safe, according to Cancer Research UK.
However, the low levels of radiation experienced by airline passengers are very unlikely to seriously affect cancer risk even among frequent flyers, the group added.
While the risk from cosmic radiation may be low, specialist policies such as breast cancer travel insurance can help provide peace of mind for passengers who have previously been diagnosed with the illness.
16 October 2018
Patients with brain tumours lose out on almost £15,000 per year, a new report has revealed.
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13 October 2018
Chris Grayling has given his "categorial assurance" to Parliament that a no-deal Brexit will not ground flights in and out of the UK, despite recent warnings from experts that this remains a possibility.
12 October 2018
The rising cost of fuel could force more airlines out of business, the boss of easyJet has warned.
11 October 2018
The image of the boozy backpacker might be a thing of the past as a new study suggests more and more youngsters are shunning alcohol completely.
10 October 2018
The NHS says just one in 10 drinks sold in English hospitals will be sugar-sweetened, as part of its bid to curb rising obesity levels.
09 October 2018
More than 260,000 diabetes patients were put at risk of lasting harm or even death during hospital stays last year due to medication errors, a new report has revealed.
06 October 2018
NHS patients with a specific type of lymphoma will soon be able to access a "game-changing" new treatment, health officials have revealed.
05 October 2018
People living with diabetes are being warned they might be "unwittingly" storing their insulin incorrectly.
04 October 2018
The world's first commercial jet part-powered by a new form of biofuel touches down in London on Wednesday (3rd October).
03 October 2018
New 'hotel-style' carriages that were due to be rolled out for the Caledonian Sleeper have been delayed until next year.
02 October 2018
Budapest has been revealed as the cheapest destination for UK holidaymakers looking for a cultural break, according to a new report.
29 September 2018
Holidaymakers heading off by train will soon be able to check their blood pressure at the station, as part of a new scheme aimed at boosting the number of people getting checked.