Astronauts May Face Higher Risks Of Getting Cancer, Research Pointed Out

Space environment can be dangerous, yet it just proved to be able to increase the risk of getting cancer.

8 blood samples of space explorers who went through at least half a year on the ISS were tested by scientists of the University of Arizona. They found out that astronauts' defense against certain diseases such as leukemia may be reduced by space travel.

The research was published in the Journal of Applied Physiology and funded by NASA. In this research, they figured that the capability of white blood cells in charge of fending off basic infections and disease cells — a.k.a NK (natural killer) cells — was strongly reduced in astronauts. In particular, after just 90 days of space traveling, the space explorers' ability to ward off leukemia was diminished by 50%.

Past researches have found that there were correlations between the risk of getting cancer and space travel in the long term. However, this is the first time they discovered that the risks exist during, not just after long space travel.

Richard Simpson, head of the research, revealed that NASA, as well as other space agencies, is concerned with the risk of astronauts' immune system being impaired. He also explained that the primary cause of the increased cancer risk is radiation exposure.

However, Simpson also said the group at the moment couldn't seem to demonstrate a direct connection between the reduction in NK-cells' abilities and the space explorers' vulnerability to cancer. There were other causes that could trigger this including microgravity, radiation, and stress.

Exercise and special nutrition have proved to enhance the immune system on Earth, so Simpson and his group hoped the same could happen in microgravity.

In any case, the finding is a critical initial move toward knowing what's making the immune system reduce amid space travel. Only after that will we discover an answer — and in the long run an approach to remain healthy on long voyages to other planets.