Negative Effects of Smoking

Negative Effects of Smoking

Smoking is a major risk factor for numerous types of cancer and is thought to be responsible for around a third of all cancer deaths globally. Here are some of the ways that smoking can increase your risk of getting cancer:

Lung cancer: Smoking is the primary cause of lung cancer, and those who smoke are significantly more likely to develop it than non-smokers. In fact, those who smoke are estimated to have a 15-30 times higher chance of lung cancer. 

Throat and mouth cancer: Additionally, smoking can increase your chances of having throat, mouth, and esophagus cancers. The risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked per day and how long one has been smoking. 

Bladder cancer: Those who smoke are up to four times more likely to develop bladder cancer too. 

Pancreatic cancer: Smoking is also a risk factor for pancreatic cancer; smokers are about twice as likely to get it than non-smokers. 

Kidney cancer: Smokers have an increased chance of developing kidney cancer as well; the risk goes up with the number of cigarettes smoked per day and the duration of the smoking habit. 

Colorectal, liver, and breast cancers: There is also evidence that suggests that smoking could increase one's chance of colorectal, liver, and breast cancers (particularly in younger women). Additionally, there may be an increased likelihood of leukemia in men who smoke. 

  

It's important to note that quitting smoking could drastically reduce your risk of getting these types of cancers. After 10 years without smoking your chances of lung cancer can be cut in half! Quitting smoking is the best way to protect yourself from developing any kind of smoking-related health issues or cancers.