Cigarette Smoking and Cancers

Cigarette smoking is undoubtedly the most significant preventable cause of several cancers because, it greatly increases the risk of developing a cancer in smokers than non-smokers. Tobacco smoke consists of greater than 70 carcinogens. Direct as well as passive smoking help enter these hazardous substances into your lungs and rest of the body via the blood stream. These carcinogens can damage DNA and modify your important genes. This process alters the normal pattern of cell division and growth, by making the cells grow and divide out of control.


A half of all cigarette smokers ultimately dies from a cancer, or other tobacco smoking-related diseases. About six million people die because of smoking annually, of whom more than five million are direct smokers and more than 600,000 are passive smokers. Therefore, around ten people pass away every minute due to cigarette smoking in the world. It accounts for ten per cent of all adult deaths. Unfortunately, one-fourth of smokers die in their middle age (35-69 years)¹.


Cancers, which are triggered by cigarette smoking.

• Lung Cancer
• Cancer of the oesophagus
• Stomach cancer
• Cancer of the liver
• Colorectal cancer
• Cancer of the pancrease
• Cancer of the nose, sinuses, lips, mouth, pharynx, and larynx
• Cancer of the kidney
• Cancer of the bladder
• Cancer of the cervix
• One kind of ovarian cancer
• Some types of leukaemia
• Breast cancer

Reference:
1. WHO Tobacco Fact Sheet: May 2012


Related Links:

How Does Cigarette Smoke Affect Your Lungs?
How Does Cigarette Smoke Affect Your Cardiovascular System?
Passive Smoking: A Hidden Risk for Your Child
Does Cigarette Smoking Harm Your Fertility?
A Few Adverse Effects of Smoking