French flight attendant's breast cancer ruled work-related

A French court has recognised former Air France flight attendant Sophie Lainault's breast cancer as an occupational disease, in what her lawyer and the CFDT union said was a first for the country's aviation industry.

The ruling came from a court in Bayonne in early July and recognised the occupational origin of Lainault's cancer. The court cited night work, exposure to ionising radiation and passive smoking.

Lainault, 59, told AFP she hoped the decision would help other women. Now in remission, she said she worked for Air France from 1989 to 2019 as a flight attendant and later as a purser on long-haul flights, with more than 12,600 flight hours, including over 6,500 at night.

Smoking was permitted on Air France flights until 2000. The court also noted the absence of genetic or lifestyle-related factors that could otherwise explain the cancer.

Lainault's lawyer, Elisabeth Leroux, said the ruling sets a legal precedent, is final and was not appealed. Lainault said it will allow her to take early retirement.

Air France said it was not a party to the proceedings and had not been informed of the court's reasoning. The airline said employee health and safety at work was an “absolute priority”.

Breast cancer is not on France's official list of occupational diseases, which can make recognition lengthy and difficult. In 2023, a French nurse who had worked night shifts for 28 years and been exposed to radiation also succeeded in having her breast cancer recognised as an occupational disease.