How Does Smoking Cause Cancer?

Posted in: Cancer by Dr. Tarang Krishna Posted Date: 13 Jan, 2020

Tobacco use is centuries old. The two main forms of tobacco use are chewing and smoking. India, in particular, is the second largest consumer and third largest producer of tobacco in the world. The prevalence of overall tobacco use amongst the males is 48% and among females is 20%.

Cigarette smoking is probably the largest factor to the large burden of cancer in our society. Smoking does not only increase the chances of a person developing lung cancer, but also bowel, stomach, pancreas, head and neck cancers. More than 4000 different kinds of chemicals have been found in tobacco and tobacco smoke. Over 60 of these chemicals have been classified as carcinogens by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). The main chemical found in tobacco is nicotine which is a highly addictive chemical. The usage over a long period makes a person physically and psychologically dependent on it. 

What are some of the Health Problems caused by Cigarette Smoking?

Tobacco use affects almost all the major organs and systems in the body causing a great deal of pain and untimely death. The use in any form can cause cancer in different organs in the body such as mouth, throat, larynx, brain, oesophagus, lungs, gallbladder, kidney and breast. Tobacco also causes many disorders such as heart disease, stroke, blindness, teeth and gum diseases. Nearly 45% of all cancers among males & and 20% among females in India and more than 80% of oral cancers are directly attributable to tobacco use.

Tobacco, has always been linked to cancer, with deaths amounting to lakhs, every year, here in India. There has been a surge in the number of smokers, especially during the 1990's, when cigarettes were actively advertised, in print and digital media. However, once early studies started showing that there is an active link, with nicotine being a carcinogen, there has been a severe clampdown on the tobacco industry, with high taxes being levied on them. 

Smoking can adversely affect many of your internal organs and functions, few of those are as follows -

Central Nervous System

One of the ingredients in tobacco is a drug called Nicotine which is a mood-altering agent. It reaches your brain in seconds. It’s a central nervous system stimulant, so it makes you feel more energized once you take it but as soon as nicotine dissolves, you feel tired.

Respiratory System

When you inhale smoke, you are taking in substances that can potentially damage your lungs. Over time, your lungs lose their ability to filter harmful chemicals hence you are at higher risk of respiratory infections and flu.

Skin, Hair and Nails

Some more effects of smoking involve skin problems. It is known that the substances in tobacco smoke alters the structure of your skin. With the prolonged usage of cigarettes, your nails, skin on your fingers and teeth may start showing yellow stains as well. Smoking causes skin discoloration and premature aging.

How smoking is the primary cause of Lung cancer?

Lung cancer is most life threatening. It is comparatively more difficult to identify, especially in the early stages as the clinical presentation predominantly consists of basic symptoms for instance weight loss, lack of appetite. More serious signs and symptoms of lung cancer can take years to develop and be diagnosed.

Blood in cough, persistent and intense coughing, difficulty in breathing, a hoarse voice, peculiar rumbling sounds with each breath and recurrent respiratory issues such as bronchitis or pneumonia are a few symptoms of lung cancer and causes of concern. If lung cancer is detected on time, Immunotherapy may help treat the disease with a high rate of success.

Active smoking is the main risk factor responsible for lung cancer in almost nine out of 10 cases. Experts say that passive smoking may increase chances for lung cancer by 20-30 per cent. This is due to the carcinogenic content of over 4,000 chemical compounds released with tobacco smoke.

Cancer Specialists believe that sometimes, smokers who quit smoking even after 10 years of smoking may raise their chances of healthy survival by as much as 30 to 50 per cent. Environmental experts are highlighting that the second leading cause of lung cancer could be an odourless radioactive gas called radon. 

This is emitted from rock and soil that is absorbed by walls/carpets in our homes. Oncologists enlighten people by asking them to be wary of other cancer-causing substances for instance asbestos, silica, diesel vapours, and  air pollution. Genetic history or suppressed immunity are risk factors of cancer for many.

Does Passive Smoking Cause Cancer?

1. Say no to anyone who smokes near you: A bit rude but a most effective way is not to allow anyone to smoke near you, especially in your home and car. Share with that person harmful effects of active as well as passive s of smoking and tell him the various harmful effects of passive smoking. If he doesn’t lend you an ear, just change your place.
2. Cover your mouth and nose: While walking on road if you come across smokers then make sure to cover your mouth and nose with a handkerchief so as to prevent the inhaling of the smoke coming out of the tobacco stick.
3. Avoid Smoking allotted Areas:  These are the places where you can’t ask anyone to drop their roll of tobacco because this area has been specifically allotted to people who smoke. These areas could be found in an office space, restaurants, movie theatres, etc. Avoid these areas completely to stay safe from the tobacco smoke.
4. Rent Smoke free Places:  It so happens that the hotel you rent while you travel is not smoke free and people in the hotel smokes anywhere they like. Hence, it is advisable to rent a hotel that is smoke free or a room has been allotted to smoking.
5. Prudently check school area: Children exposure to passive smoking could lead to catastrophic consequences like Ear infections, Heart Disease, Lung Infections, Asthma attacks etc. Hence, make sure that the school area of your child has been declared a no smoking zone.

Does Hookah Smoking Cause Cancer?

There are many hookah smokers who consider this habit of theirs as less harmful in comparison to cigarettes smoking. But hookah smoking delivers the addictive drug nicotine and it is as toxic as cigarette smoking.

The smoke of hookah comprises of toxic compounds like tar, carbon monoxide as well as, carcinogens (cancer-causing chemicals). These compounds together bring the smoker closer to lung cancer, oral cancer and heart disease. In fact, the charcoal that is used to heat tobacco in the hookah produces a high level of carbon monoxide, carcinogens, etc. thus increasing the health risks. 

Also, the mouthpiece is shared by a lot of people and it increases the risk of catching contagious diseases.

In order to curb this dangerous habit, it is necessary to take certain steps such as:

• Educating people, especially youth, about the side effects of Hookah Smoking.
• Mention of warning on hookah flavors and charcoal used to heat hookah.
• Misleading labeling such as “Contains 0 MG Tar” should be banned.

To summarize, Hookah is equally harmful as cigarette smoking and in order to keep dangerous health complications such as cancer away, it should be kept at bay. 

How you should Quit Smoking?

One of the primary causes of certain cancers is Tobacco. Your lungs become the prey of tobacco if you are addicted to smoking. Not only it causes lung cancer but it also causes cancer of the stomach, liver, pancreas, mouth, throat etc. Non-smokers too degrade their health when they come in contact with the tobacco smoke via passive smoking. 

Try these methods to quit smoking and live cancer free life and make the people around you too disease free.

• Have a strong will power - Nothing in this world is possible if you let yourself loose every time in front of your weaknesses and can’t control yourself. Make your mind to quit smoking and you are halfway home.
• Leave your smoking club - We know that leaving your friends and family members is the toughest thing. But if you have made your mind to quit smoking then avoid their company for a while until you are cent percent sure that you won’t be lured by the cigarette in their hands.
• NRT or Nicotine Replacement Theory - Nicotine Patches, Gums, Sprays and Inhalers all are a part of NRT. It gives your body the required nicotine without the dose of Tobacco. You are likely to quit the smoking habit by NRT.
• Behavioral Therapy - Under this therapy a counselor counsels you to find ways of not smoking. The counselor uses an emotional trigger to make you get rid of your smoking habit.
• Avoid ‘This-is-the-last-one’ habit - There is never a last when it comes to cigarettes. Again your will power comes to your rescue if you have this habit. Keep your will power strong and don’t even take one tobacco stick in a day.
• Mark your calendar - Setting a quitting date can really help you a lot. If not completely quit then at least you will be able to reduce their intake of nicotine to a great extent by that date which you have set.
• Munch vegetables and seeds - Keep your gums busy by making them munch carrots, sunflower seeds, celery or even sugarless gum and hard candy.
• Think of the rewards of quitting - Your breath is going to smell better, food is going to taste delicious, you will have your stamina back, you will save a lot of money, these are some of the rewards you could focus on while quitting smoking.
• Drink Herbal Tea - Replace your smoking time with tea time. It helps relieve the stress and also cleanse the body from inside.
• Medication - Consult a physician if quitting is getting difficult for you without medicine. Once prescribed by the physician, be regular with the medication for a tobacco free life

Conclusion

Tobacco has been used, widely in its various forms. There have been cigarettes, cigars, bidi, hookahs, chillums, for the smokers, and gutka, pan masala, chewing tobacco, for the ones who prefer to chew it. Usually, chewing tobacco, is thought to have been prevalent in the lower segment of society, with the urban population majority, preferring to puff away on cigarettes. These two roads, join to lead to cancer, one causes oral cancer, one causes lung cancer but there’s one more road that leads to a healthy life. We know that quitting smoking is not a walk in the park but once dedicated towards it you can surely get rid of this cancer causing habit, So, decide now or regret later. Say no to Cigarettes & Tobacco and say Hi to life!

About The Author

Dr. Tarang Krishna

Dr. Tarang Krishna, Director at Cancer Healer Center, is the perfect epitome of perseverance and dedication.

He has an impressive educational background to his credit. He completed his under-graduation in Medicine and Surgery from Pune, India and did his MD (Hom) from Agra University, India.Thesis on MD was on "Treatment of cancer" where he presented cases of almost 100 patients and the response of the medicines in the treatment of cancer. He then completed his Ph.d in Oncology from the United Kingdom and his thesis on the ‘Efficacy of Medicines in the Treatment of Cancer’ is greatly commemorated and honored.

He befittingly represents alternate medicine and has contributed significantly towards the development and research of immunotherapy.

Through his nationwide chain of “Cancer Healer Center” clinics he strives to offer superior cancer treatment, using immunotherapy.