Lung cancer from smoking in the early 20th century was rare. Now 87% of lung cancers are the sequels of passive exposure to second-hand tobacco smoke or smoking tobacco. This clearly shows the association between smoking and lung cancer, which results in the deterioration of one’s health.
The myth that lung cancer will not occur if you smoke low tar cigarettes is not true. Hookah smoking is as dangerous as cigarette smoking although it is marketed safer than cigarettes.
Studies indicate that a nonsmoker who lives with a smoker tends to be at 30% greater risk of acquiring lung cancer than the smoker spouse. There is a higher incidence of lung cancer among workers who are exposed to tobacco smoke in the workplace. Ever seen a smoking shelter? Manufacturers have enjoyed increased business since the smoking ban.
Numerous studies have been conducted on smoking and lung cancer and have concluded that smoking not only causes lung cancer, but includes the risk of onset of cancers of the pancreas, kidney, bladder, esophagus, oral cavity, pharynx and larynx. Studies have also concluded a strong connection between smoking and cancer of the cervix.
As there is a great association between smoking and lung cancer, there is great risk of developing other smoking-associated cancers. The type of cancers and lung cancer incidences depends mainly on the lifetime exposure to cigarette smoke, number of years a person has smoked, and at which age the person started cigarette smoking.
It is necessary to know how smoking causes lung cancer. A tube-like structure, called the bronchi, connects the nose to the lungs. This is lined with a single layer of cells. These hair-like cilia cleanse the lung by sending the untoward substances pushing out of the lungs through bronchi. The cleaning mechanisms effectiveness gets affected due to smoking with disappearance of cilia. Therefore, the carcinogenic substances accumulate and absorb in the bronchial lining, which may get transformed into the blood system. The carcinogenic substances, which are present in cigarette smoke can alter the nature of the cells slowly and progressively until cancer develops.
The good news is that quitting smoking reduces a smoker’s risk of developing lung and other cancers. The damaged lung tissue gradually rejuvenates back to normal with quitting smoking. Smokers who stop smoking drastically reduce their lung cancer risk by one-third of what it would have been if continuing a prolonged smoking habit.
After quitting smoking, the risk for lung cancer is decreased immediately and gradually declines each year. In addition to this, the risk of developing chronic diseases of smoking is also reduced drastically. Of note, women who quit smoking during their first trimester of pregnancy experience no adverse pregnancy effects such as stillbirth or low birth weight. Increased smoking leads to lung cancer and vice versa, therefore, directly proportional is smoking and lung cancer.
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