Cancer, which is one of the most dreaded diseases worldwide, accounted for almost 10 million deaths in 2020. Therefore, it is critical to raise awareness of cancer and its prevention. One of the risk factors of cancer is an unhealthy lifestyle habit, such as smoking. So, let’s discuss the relationship between smoking and cancer.
First, let’s begin with a basic overview of cancer. According to the CDC, cancer refers to diseases in which abnormal cells grow uncontrollably, divide out of control and are able to invade other tissues, or spread to other parts of the body via the blood and lymph systems. It is important to learn the symptoms of cancer, so that you can detect whether you have chances of cancer as soon as possible.The sooner you recognize and seek treatment, the better your chances of survival.
Here are some of the symptoms:
Abnormal bleeding or discharge
A thickening or lump in any area of the body
A wound that fails to heal
Changes in bladder or bowel habits
Chronic hoarseness or a persistent cough
Discomfort after eating
Fatigue
Having difficulty in swallowing
Unknown cause of weight loss or gain
Lifestyle has a close connection with cancer. Today, we are going to discuss one of the most related risk factors, smoking. So, what’s the relationship between smoking and cancer?
Smoking can lead to cancer and hinder your body's ability to fight it. To begin with, the chemicals in cigarette smoke can impair the body's immune system, making it more difficult to fight cancer cells. When this occurs, cancer cells continue to proliferate without stopping. Furthermore, the toxins in tobacco smoke can harm or alter a cell’s DNA. DNA is the "instruction manual" of a cell, ensuring its proper growth and function. When DNA is broken, it may trigger uncontrollably and turn into a cancer tumor.
Today, nearly 9 out of 10 lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking cigarettes or secondhand smoke exposure. The changes in how cigarettes are made and what chemicals they contain have made people more vulnerable to cancer. In the US, secondhand smoking causes more than 7,300 nonsmokers to die from lung cancer each year. Secondhand smoke is the mixture of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and smoke exhaled by a smoker.
Here are some of the statistics how quit smoking can lower the risks of getting cancer:
Within 5-10 years of quitting, your chance of developing cancer of the mouth, throat, or voice box decreases by 50%.
Within 10 years of quitting, your chance of getting cancer of the bladder, esophagus, or kidney drops.
Within 10-15 years after you quit smoking, your risk of lung cancer decreases by 50%.
Within 20 years after you quit smoking, your risk of developing cancer of the mouth, throat, voice box, or pancreas lowers to that of someone who does not smoke. Also, the risk of cervical cancer decreases by around 50%.
People who have smoked for a long time are advised to get screened for lung cancer. Cancer screening also aids in the detection of these diseases at an early stage, when therapy is most likely to be effective.
Cancer therapy is determined by the type of cancer and the stage of the disease (how serious the cancer is and if it has spread). Doctors may also examine the patient's age and overall health. Often, the objective of treatment is to cure the cancer. In other cases, the objective is to keep the condition under control or minimize symptoms for as long as possible. The treatment strategy for a person may alter over time. Surgery, radiation therapy, or chemotherapy are common treatment options. Biological therapy, which is a treatment that aids your immune system in fighting cancer, is another option. Some cancers react better to a single therapy method. Other types of cancer may respond better to a combination of therapy.
A stem cell transplant, also known as a bone marrow transplant, may be advised by a doctor for patients who have received extremely high doses of chemotherapy or radiation therapy. This is due to the fact that high-dose therapies kill both cancer cells and normal blood cells. A stem cell transplant can assist the body in producing healthy blood cells to replace those lost during cancer therapy. It's a complicated procedure with many risks and adverse effects.
Quitting smoking improves the outlook for cancer patients. People who continue to smoke after being diagnosed increase the risk of future cancer and dying. They are more likely to acquire a second tobacco-related cancer and are more likely to die from it than nonsmokers.
Smoking does not only increase risks of cancer, but also a variety of diseases. It is hard to quit smoking immediately, but as long as we are determined to get rid of it, we will conquer the addiction of smoking. Moreover, having a healthy diet and doing more exercises can help to boost your immune system and reduce risks of having cancer.
Reference: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/diseases/cancer.html
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