LUNG CANCER
When individuals consider cancers linked to smoking, lung cancer is invariably the first that comes to mind. The majority of lung cancer fatalities, nearly 90% in men and 80% in women, are attributed to cigarette smoking. Additionally, there are numerous other types of cancer associated with smoking, including cancers of the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, bladder, stomach, cervix, kidney, pancreas, and acute myeloid leukemia. The list of permitted additives in cigarette production comprises 599 potential ingredients. Upon combustion, cigarette smoke releases over 4000 chemicals, with more than 40 recognized as carcinogens.
* Cancer ranks as the second leading cause of death and was one of the initial diseases directly linked to smoking.
* Lung cancer stands as the primary cause of cancer-related deaths, with cigarette smoking responsible for the majority of cases.
* In comparison to nonsmokers, male smokers are approximately 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer, while female smokers are about 13 times more likely. Smoking accounts for roughly 90% of lung cancer deaths in men and nearly 80% in women.
* In 2003, it was estimated that 171,900 new lung cancer cases were diagnosed, resulting in approximately 157,200 deaths from the disease.
* The 2004 Surgeon General's report provides further evidence supporting earlier findings that smoking is a cause of cancers affecting the oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, lung, and bladder.
* Carcinogenic substances present in tobacco smoke harm crucial genes that regulate cell growth, leading to abnormal growth or excessive reproduction of cells.
* Cigarette smoking is a significant contributor to esophageal cancer in the United States. Decreasing smoking and smokeless tobacco usage could avert many of the estimated 12,300 new cases and 12,100 deaths from esophageal cancer that occur each year.
* The interplay of smoking and alcohol consumption is responsible for the majority of laryngeal cancer cases. In 2003, an estimated 3800 deaths were attributed to laryngeal cancer.
* In 2003, approximately 57,400 new bladder cancer cases were identified, with an estimated 12,500 fatalities resulting from the disease.
* The risk of cancers attributable to smoking typically escalates with the quantity of cigarettes consumed and the duration of smoking, and it generally diminishes after complete cessation.
* Smoking cigarettes with a lower tar yield does not significantly lessen the risk of lung cancer.
* Cigarette smoking heightens the likelihood of developing cancers of the mouth. This risk is also elevated among individuals who smoke pipes and cigars.
* A decrease in the number of individuals who smoke cigarettes, pipes, cigars, and other tobacco products, or who use smokeless tobacco, could avert the majority of the estimated 30,200 new cases and 7,800 fatalities from oral cavity and pharynx cancers each year in the United States.
New cancers identified in this report:
* The 2004 Surgeon General's report has newly recognized additional cancers linked to smoking, including those of the stomach, cervix, kidney, pancreas, and acute myeloid leukemia.
* In 2003, approximately 22,400 new stomach cancer cases were diagnosed, with an estimated 12,100 deaths anticipated.
* Individuals who have quit smoking exhibit lower rates of stomach cancer compared to those who continue to smoke.
* For women, the risk of cervical cancer escalates with the length of time spent smoking.
* In 2003, around 31,900 new kidney cancer cases were diagnosed, resulting in an estimated 11,900 deaths from the disease.
* In 2003, it was estimated that 30,700 new cases of pancreatic cancer were diagnosed, leading to 30,000 deaths. The average duration from diagnosis to death for pancreatic cancer is approximately 3 months.
* In 2003, roughly 10,500 cases of acute myeloid leukemia were diagnosed in adults.
* Benzene is recognized as a causative agent of acute myeloid leukemia, and cigarette smoke is a primary source of benzene exposure. Among smokers in the U.S., 90% of benzene exposure is derived from cigarettes.
Smoking continues to be the foremost cause of preventable mortality and adversely affects health at every stage of life. It poses risks to unborn babies, infants, children, adolescents, adults, and the elderly.
The effects of smoking....health-effects-of-smoking.
