Tobacco is responsible for 30% of cancer deaths each year in France. However, a third of these deaths might be avoided without tobacco.
According to the National Cancer Institute, tobacco is responsible for 45,000 cancer deaths each year in Franceout of 157,400 in total, i.e. almost 30% of cancer deaths.
Which cancers are favored by tobacco?
If tobacco is a risk factor favoring most cancers, it is directly responsible for lung cancer (8 cases out of 10), of the cancers of the upper aerodigestive tract (mouth, larynx, pharynx, esophagus) at 70% and 35% of cancers of the bladder (Inca). “Without tobacco, lung cancer would be a rare cancer. About 80% of lung cancer cases are due to tobacco. Smoking also increases the risk of developing cancer you foie, you pancreasstomach, kidney, colon, rectum, breast, cervix, as well as some leukemias“, says Dr Gianluca Severi, Director of Research at Inserm and head of an epidemiology team at Gustave Roussy.
Why does tobacco increase the risk of cancer?
“Tobacco is made up of thousands of chemicals including arsenic, tars (which contain substances such as hydrocarbons), toxic gases (nitrogen oxide, hydrocyanic acid, carbon monoxide) and heavy metals (chromium, cadmium, lead, mercury) which have very varied and very deep actions on our body. Several of these substances possess carcinogenic effects, and participate in modifying DNA. The risk of developing cancer depends on the amount of cigarettes smoked, as well as the length of time you smoked“, explains the researcher.
What percentage of smokers have cancer in France?
“It’s very difficult to reason like that, nuance the specialist. A recent study on the incidence of cancer in France shows that 28% of cancer cases in adult men are due to tobacco and 8% in women. The prevalence of smoking remains high with almost a third of French adults who say they smoke. The percentage of women who smoke daily is lower compared to men (22% versus 29%)”.
Passive smoking is responsible for 1,100 deaths each year in France
Does passive smoking increase the risk of cancer?
Unwanted exposure to cigarette smoke has adverse health effects. “The effect of passive smoking is not as strong as that of individual smoking but it is clearly established, especially for lung cancer. Recent studies show a increased risk in non-smokers who live in a relationship with a person who smokes“, details our interlocutor. According to the Inca, passive smoking is responsible for 1,100 deaths each year in Franceincluding 150 by lung cancer.
Do you have to stop smoking when you have cancer?
“It’s never too late to stop smoking, even if the cancer has already developed. Stopping will always be beneficial. Several studies have shown that the risk of developing cancer from smoking decreases following quitting smoking and it becomes equal to that of a non-smoker once more following regarding 20 years depending on the type of cancer“, informs Dr Gianluca Severi.
Thanks to Dr Gianluca Severi, Director of Research at Inserm and head of an epidemiology team at Gustave Roussy.
Source: Tobacco, first avoidable risk factor for cancer, 09/02/2022, National Cancer Institute