What is the Connection Between Nicotine and Cancer?

Nicotine, an alkaloid in tobacco, can be easily metabolized in the body into carcinogenic or cancer-causing substances called nitrosamines. It also provides pro-survival signals to cancerous or mutated cells and is directly related the pathogenesis or development of malignancies connected to the habit of smoking. Dangerously high increases in events involving cellular mutations and abnormal growth and division of cells are encouraged in the close connection that nicotine and cancer have, because nicotine is responsible for encouraging the mutation process. Various types of cancer related to smoking are initiated, encouraged and "fed" by the presence of nicotine in the body. All of these findings have led to the declaration that there is a close connection between nicotine and cancer.

Malignancy is the medical term for cancer, and cancer is the abnormal and uncontrolled growth or division of cells that can and often do invade adjacent cells and even spread to other parts of the body. A mutation is a sudden alteration in a hereditary characteristic. Smoking-related cancers include, but are not limited to, cancer of the breasts, lungs and throat, and they are considered the consequences of the deadly connection that exists between nicotine and cancer.

Patients with breast, lung, throat or any other form of cancer related to smoking do not have very high survival rates, especially if they do not cease smoking during treatment. There is a strong reminder of the connection between nicotine and cancer in that the pro-survival signals that nicotine in the body sends to cancer cells makes it virtually impossible for chemotherapy and radiation treatments to work. Considering that chemotherapy and radiation treatments also damage healthy cells, smoking-related cancer patients are strongly advised to immediately cease such a dangerous habit that establishes and maintains the destructive connection between nicotine and cancer.

Another connection that exists between nicotine and cancer is the addiction problem, which encourages the continuation of the smoking habit. Nicotine reacts with proteins in the brain called nicotinic acetylcholine. The reaction causes the release of substances known as neurotransmitters; dopamine is one of the neurotransmitters released, and it is responsible for the development of dependency.

Some people find it beneficial to take nicotine lozenges to help curb their craving to smoke and to help break the nicotine and dopamine connection. Others believe that true freedom from smoking lies in willpower, determination and personal responsibility. This also is the healthiest choice, because the lozenges can have unpleasant side effects, such as heartburn, and can have dangerous side effects, such as an irregular heartbeat.