Analysis of Brain Cancer Risk Among AFSOC and Conventional C-130 Aircrew
Abstract
Between 2006 and 2009, a perceived elevation in the number of brain cancer cases was reported among Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) C-130 crewmembers. This prompted AFSOC to request that the USAF Epidemiology Consult Service evaluate the potential risk posed by C-130s or by modified AFSOC-specific C-130s on the development of brain cancer. Brain cancer is a very rare event, occurring in approximately 6.5 out of every 100,000 people in the United States annually. (Note: This is corrected from an erroneous figure in the October 2009 preliminary report.) The demographics of the active duty population, readily available access to health care, frequent periodic hands-on medical evaluations, and a low threshold for providers to initiate comprehensive medical evaluations for rated aircrew make detection of brain cancer more likely among this population than among the general population. However, the small size of this population and the rarity of brain cancer make any group of cases appear to be unusual. Brain cancer has few known risk factors. Risk appears to increase with higher socioeconomic status, which would lead to a truly higher incidence among active duty Air Force (ADAF) rated aircrew than the general population. Some earlier studies suggested a higher incidence of brain cancer among career aviators, although more recent studies have not found an increased incidence. Studies of military aviators specifically have not found an increase in brain cancer attributable to flying. The only known environmental risk for developing brain cancer is exposure to extremely high doses of ionizing radiation, as seen with atomic bomb detonations or with extreme doses of therapeutic radiation such as those used to treat childhood cancers several decades ago. The vast majority of brain cancers are random occurrences with no identifiable cause. The cases reported from AFSOC appear to be related to chance and not to any particular exposure risk.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- May 01, 2010
- Accession Number
- ADA522424
Entities
People
- Brett R. Nishikawa
- Paul A. Sjoberg
Organizations
- Air Force Research Laboratory