French flight attendant wins landmark case recognizing breast cancer as occupational disease

A flight attendant in France has succeeded in having her breast cancer recognised as an occupational disease, a first for the country’s aviation industry, her lawyer and a trade union said.

The ruling, which recognised that Sophie Lainault, a former flight attendant for Air France, had frequently worked at night and been exposed to passive smoking, could pave the way for similar claims, the lawyer and the CFDT union said.

Lainault, from Anglet in south-west France, told the news agency AFP that she hoped her legal victory could help other women.

“It is truly my dearest wish that this opens the way for other women who might not have dared until now,” the 59-year-old said.

Now in remission, Lainault said she worked for Air France, the country’s flagship carrier, between 1989 and 2019 as a flight attendant and later as a purser on long-haul flights, accumulating more than 12,600 flight hours, including more than 6,500 at night.

The ruling, seen by AFP, came from a court in the city of Bayonne in early July and recognised the occupational origin of Lainault’s cancer.

The court highlighted the role of night work, exposure to ionising radiation and passive smoking. Smoking was permitted on Air France flights until 2000.

Two regional committees responsible for recognising occupational diseases had previously concluded that no link had been established.

Breast cancer is not included in France’s official list of occupational diseases, meaning that obtaining recognition can be a lengthy and difficult ordeal for patients.

Lainault said that she had fought for two-and-a-half years for the recognition, supported by CFDT activists. She said the ruling would allow her to take early retirement.

Lainault’s lawyer, Elisabeth Leroux, said the court decision set a legal precedent. The ruling was final and no appeal had been lodged, she added.

Some studies have suggested that women who regularly work night shifts may face a higher risk of developing cancer.

Air France said it “was not a party to the proceedings and has not been informed of the court’s reasoning”.

The airline said: “The health and safety of employees at work is an absolute priority.”

In 2023, a French nurse who had worked night shifts for 28 years and been exposed to radiation succeeded in having her breast cancer recognised as an occupational disease.

With nearly 13,000 deaths each year, breast cancer is the deadliest cancer among women in France.