Aviation, high altitude, cumulative radiation exposure and their associations with cancer.

High altitude exposure and/or aviator status correlate significantly with cancerous conditions of the skin, testicles, bladder, and thyroid based upon a comprehensive literature review and survey of governmental sources. Other lesser significantly associated conditions include leukemia, lymphosarcoma, and Hodgkin's disease. Although radiation and sunlight are strongly associated with cancer incidence and risk at high altitudes, other intervening variables are discussed and critically reviewed using malignant melanoma of the skin as an example.