What is the Connection Between Smoking and Cancer?

The connection between smoking and cancer is evident in the carcinogenic compounds that are present in tobacco. Many of these compounds are said to link cigarette smoking as a direct cause of several types of cancer in laboratory animals and in humans. Some of these compounds can cause cancerous cells to multiply in patients already known to have the disease.

Smoking and lung cancer is the most prevalent of all smoking-related causes of cancer. In fact, it is estimated that over 90 percent of individuals who die from lung cancer are smokers, or at one time had been. This also means the vast majority of lung cancers deaths are directly linked to smoking.

Health experts and medical scientists state that there is no way to reduce the risks of smoking and cancer by switching the method, brand or type of cigarette to be smoked. This is to say, any form of cigarette smoking will have the same cancer risk, be it low-tar, filtered, menthol or natural. It is also a fact that the nicotine found in cigarettes is not the sole connection between smoking and cancer. Many other substances have cancer-causing properties.

A major connection between smoking and cancer is cell damage that occurs as a result of inhaled cigarette smoke. Damaged cells can manifest into cancerous cells, often reproducing at a fast rate. When left to reproduce, these cancerous cells often metastasize to other areas of the body. This is one factor that causes a high mortality rate among smokers.

Some of the chemical compounds which are present in nicotine are cyanide, benzene and formaldehyde. Wood alcohol, ammonia and acetylene are also found in tobacco. All of these chemicals can cause cancer if a person is exposed to them in high enough quantities and over a period of time. There is no scientific explanation why some individuals may develop cancer sooner than others.

Other cancers which are connected to cigarette smoking are throat cancer, which is technically known as cancer of the esophagus, and brain cancer. The list does not end there, however, as cancers associated with smoking can develop in various organs and cells. Stomach, liver and pancreatic cancers have known to be related to cigarette smoking. Ovarian cancer risks are higher for women who smoke, as is the risk of prostate cancer in men.

For those who wish to quit smoking and avoid the increased risk of cancer, there may be good news. Some experts believe the cancer risk can be decreased once the person has stopped smoking. There are other varying factors which may depend upon a person's age and present physical condition.