Smoking and lung cancer are almost always considered synonyms, and there are many truths. In fact, tobacco is known to have a high risk of developing cancer in the lungs and is one of the most fundamental harmful effects on health.
How does smoking cause cancer
Cigarette smoke is packed with chemical substances that work as body poison. Once inhaled, these harmful chemicals enter the bloodstream, leading to various diseases including cancer. It is the lung, as well as the most sensitive organ. Tobacco smoke contains over 7000 chemical substances, of which 250 are known to be toxic. Of these 69 chemical substances have the property of causing cancer. Let's take a look at the various ways that smoking can lead to cancer of the lung:
- DNA damage Chemicals in tobacco smoke such as nitrosamine, benzene, benzo (a) pyrene, nickel and arsenic, and polonium-210 are known to have carcinogenic properties. These chemicals damage the genetic DNA that helps prevent cancer by interfering with cellular processes that help attach or repair damaged DNA.
- Body weakness regime - There are various ways that chemicals in the smoke reduce the body 's defense mechanism. For example, formaldehyde destroys the hair lining of the respiratory tract, and otherwise prevents foreign bodies from reaching the lower respiratory tract. Smoke also inhibits the action of cells to prevent abnormal cell proliferation (or cancer). Cadmium in smoke inhibits the function of detoxifying proteins in the body.
- Long-term exposure - Smokers have been exposed to high levels of toxins for many years. It takes years to develop cancer, but as toxic substances in the body of smokers become high concentrations it becomes difficult to cope with its harmful effects. Lung cell damage and its DNA accumulate over the years and make these cells cancerous.
- The toxicity of nicotine - Nicotine, the main ingredient of tobacco, is actually addictive. Once inhaled, it enters the lungs, transfers to blood flow, and reaches the brain within a few seconds. Nicotine in tobacco and other products creates poisoning very similar to drugs like cocaine. This makes it difficult to abandon smoking even when many addictive smokers want it. Habitual use increases the risk of cancer.
So, will even stop long-term smokers from rescuing?
Good news, yes! To quit smoking is the first step to reduce the risk of cancer. It may not be easy and external help may be necessary, but the health benefits far outweigh the impact of the damage.
- The concentration of carbon monoxide in the blood has returned to normal within 12 hours after discontinuation.
- Pulmonary function and circulation will begin to show improvement within 12 weeks after termination.
- If you stay for 10 years with smoking cessation, the risk of lung cancer will be half that of smokers and the risk of other cancers will be lower.
- Whatever age your age is, life expectancy will increase. However, it is better to quit as soon as possible.
How about those who already have a positive diagnosis of lung cancer? Will it help to stop now? The answer is yes. If you quit smoking during treatment, your body will respond quickly to treatment and reduce the risk of other infections and respiratory failure. Cancer patients who quit smoking also lower the risk of recurrent cancer and secondary cancer at a later time. Not too late!
