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About Smoking and Cancer. |
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The World Health Organization
describes smoking as 'the simple greatest cause of disease in the
world. Smoking causes approximately 10 times more deaths than road accidents, 82% of all drug-related deaths, compared to alcohol and only 1% due to other drugs. Most adult smokers start smoking before reaching 20 years of age. Smoking accounts for about 30% of all cancers and is a major cause of heart disease. Smoking is also linked to conditions like colds, gastric ulcers, chronic bronchitis, asthma and emphysema. Lung Cancer 84% of lung cancer in men and 77% in women is directly linked to smoking. On the whole, smokers are 10 times more likely to die from lung cancer than nonsmokers are. Heavy smokers run 15 to 25 times more risk. Mouth and Throat Cancer Cigarette smoking is a major cause of oral cancers (tongue, lips, gums), esophagus and larynx. Oral cancers account for 5 -10 % of all cancers diagnosed and 2 -3% of all cancer deaths. The risk of developing oral cancers increases with increased cigarette smoking, more so if combined with alcohol consumption. The risk is lowered if a person quits smoking. Reverse Smoking (Chuttah) Cancer In some parts of India, men and women smoke cigars with the burning end inside the mouth. This produces leukoplakia (whitening of the hard palate) to start with, which later becomes cancerous. Bronchitis Bronchitis occurs when the breathing tubes are congested and swollen. This reduces the amount of air one can breathe in and out. It gives what is called 'smokers cough' and also lowers resistance to other lung diseases, infections and lead to emphysema. Cancer Of Colon It is shown that cigarette smoking can lead to colon cancer. Emphysema As a person continues to smoke, tobacco tar coats the lung's air sacs. The sacs lose their elasticity and rupture. As more air sacs break open, it becomes difficult to breathe. Over 90% of long term smokers of more than a packet of cigarettes a day suffer from pain and breathlessness due to emphysema. Cancer Stomach It is estimated that 14% of stomach cancers in men and 11% in women are attributed to smoking. Cancer Pancreas & Kidney Cigarette smoking is contributory and may be a causal factor of cancer pancreas and kidneys. About 28% of pancreatic cancers in males and 22% in females is attributable to smoking. Uterine Cancer This slow growing cancer is most commonly found in women aged 55 -60. Smoking increases the risk of developing this cancer. Cancer Cervix Women who smoke have greater risk of developing cancer cervix, estimated to be about 21% of cervical cancers. The association between smoking and cervical cancer is dose related. More cigarettes a woman smokes, greater is the risk. Cancer Bladder Smoking has been identified as a principle factor for cancer of bladder. Nicotine metabolites are excreted in urine. In men 43% and women 36% bladder cancers are attributed to smoking. Myeloid Leukemia Smokers have 50% greater risk of developing myeloid leukemia than normal population and accounts for 22% of all myeloid leukemia cases. Passive Smoking There is evidence that passive smoking is harmful and can cause lung cancer and heart diseases in nonsmokers. |
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