Smoking is a highly addictive habit that many people unfortunately engage in. Despite the many warnings and campaigns about the dangers of smoking, millions of people still smoke cigarettes around the world.
In fact, it has been found that smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths in the world. Smoking is known to cause a number of health problems including cancer, heart disease, and stroke. In this article, we will look at smoking and its role in cancer mortality.
The link between smoking and cancer mortality
Smoking has been linked to a number of different types of cancer including lung cancer, throat cancer, bladder cancer, and pancreatic cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is responsible for about 30% of all cancer deaths.
In fact, lung cancer is the most common cancer that is caused by smoking, and smokers are about 15-30 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers.
Smoking causes cancer by damaging the DNA in your body’s cells. This damage can cause the cells to grow abnormally and form cancerous tumors. The more you smoke, and the longer you smoke for, the greater your risk of developing cancer.
The impact of smoking on cancer mortality rates
According to a study by the World Health Organization (WHO), smoking increases the risk of death from cancer by 25%. This means that people who smoke are 25% more likely to die from cancer than non-smokers.
The study also found that smoking is responsible for about 70% of all lung cancer deaths and 30% of all other cancer deaths.
In addition to increasing the risk of cancer mortality, smoking also has a number of other negative effects on the body. Smoking can damage the lungs, heart, and other organs, causing a range of health problems including heart disease, stroke, and respiratory problems. Smoking can also cause premature aging, wrinkles, and other cosmetic issues.
How to reduce the risk of cancer mortality from smoking
The best way to reduce the risk of cancer mortality from smoking is to quit smoking altogether. While quitting smoking can be difficult, there are a number of resources available to help smokers quit.
These resources include nicotine replacement therapy, counseling, and support groups. Quitting smoking can also improve your overall health and quality of life.
If you are unable to quit smoking altogether, there are still some steps you can take to reduce your risk of cancer.
These steps include reducing the amount of cigarettes you smoke, avoiding secondhand smoke, and making sure you are screened for cancer regularly. Regular cancer screenings can help detect cancer early when it is most treatable.
The bottom line
Smoking is a dangerous habit that can have serious consequences for your health. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide and is responsible for a large number of cancer deaths.
Quitting smoking is the best way to reduce your risk of cancer mortality and improve your overall health. If you’re struggling to quit smoking, seek help from a healthcare professional or support group.