The Relationship Between Smoking and Cancer

Creating a nonsmoking society could eliminate more than %90 of lung cancers. Smoking is now linked to numerous cancers. Besides lung cancer, a nonsmoking society would see substantial decreases in head-neck, pharyngeal, esophageal, stomach, pancreatic, kidney, bladder, leukemia and even breast cancers. WHO data indicate in the 20. century, tobacco caused approximately 100 million deaths, with another 6 million annually. Cigarettes contain over 50 chemicals directly related to cancer. Filters do not reduce exposure. Over time, filtered or light cigarettes led people to inhale more deeply to meet nicotine needs, moving lung cancers deeper and toward lower lobes without reducing incidence. The relationship began emerging in the first quarter of the 1900s and was scientifically proven in the 1950s. Nevertheless, governments and manufacturers concealed this truth for years and spread addiction worldwide. In 1997, prominent American manufacturer Liggett was found liable after a lung cancer patient sued and had to publish a worldwide apology.

A high-mortality cancer such as lung cancer does not have one cause. Research has identified many causes, and various factors may contribute, but most are related to tobacco use.

Smoking and Lung Cancer; smoking causes lung cancer. Harmful tobacco substances (carcinogens) damage lung cells and may eventually cause cancer. Risk depends on starting age, duration, daily cigarette count and inhalation depth. Quitting greatly reduces lung cancer risk.

The best lung cancer prevention is quitting smoking or never starting!

Cigars, Pipes and Lung Cancer; users have higher risk than nonusers. Years of use, daily quantity and inhalation depth affect risk. Even without inhaling, cigar and pipe smokers face lung and other oral cancer risks. Passive smokers exposed to tobacco smoke also have the same degree of lung cancer risk.

If you still smoke, stop immediately! Your doctor can guide you toward help.

Regarding passive smoking and childhood cancers, children imitate parents. Do not let anyone in your family smoke, and prohibit smoking at home. Data from 2010 show declining smoking among children and young people. For the past 10 years, awareness efforts on tobacco's consequences have continued unabated, but families must remain alert. Research shows that children aged 12 and older regularly smoke at a rate above %25, a substantial figure.

Lung cancer remains among the most common cancers, causing death in approximately %85 of cases. Given that around %80 of smokers started before age 18, families should explain harms and the health benefits of smoke-free living. Parents quitting to set an example both reduce their lung, mouth, esophageal, bladder, kidney, pancreatic cancer and heart disease risks and positively influence children.