2023-08-26 04:54:00
In Germany smoked in 2021 according to the German head office for search queries 22.7% of 18-64 year olds. That corresponds to 11.6 million people. Smoking is therefore widespread in society. In terms of health, however, tobacco is not so harmless to classify. What is the connection between cancer and smoking? Henrik gave us a professional assessment for this Rutenbeck from the Regiomed clinics in a written interview.
Smoking and cancer: introduction and background
Currently smoking in Germany over a third of all adults, among young people it is about 6 %. In numerous television and film productions, you can see actors who smoke. This often motivates young people to imitate. Tobacco use is widespread in society. But the dangers are also actively pointed out: You can now find them on almost all cigarette packets shocking warning images. The so-called EU Tobacco Directive allows these shocking photos and is committed to ensuring that tobacco packaging warns of the consequences in pictures. Images of blackened lungs, rotten teeth, and corpses keep reminding you of the risks. But what’s up really behind? And what is the connection between smoking and cancer?
cancer is in Germany after cardiovascular diseases most common cause of death. The German Cancer Society postulates: The most common single cause for cancer in developed countries is inhalation of tobacco smoke. Research suggests it will every second habitual smokers die as a result of smoking.
The German Cancer Research Center according to which your risk of disease is the higher it’s mehr cigarettes you consume daily the sooner you started smoking and the longer you smoke. Another factor that can increase the risk of developing the disease is how deep the smoke inhaled becomes. Finally, as a variable, how strong” the cigarettes are. The stronger the cigarettes are, the richer they are in toxic and carcinogenic substances.
Myths and misconceptions about smoking and cancer
Can moderate smoking be safe?
The pollutants, for example from the tar or the condensate, are among the carcinogenic toxins. become like this carcinogenic substances called. Carcinogenic noxae cause your DNA of the cells changed. Rutenbeck explains that even the first change can lead to cancer. Basically, there are no amounts that can be classified as harmless. The amounts should always be like this low as possible being held. This assessment not only includes classic cigarettes, but also e-cigarettes and other e-tobacco products.
The difference here is that the liquid or tobacco in these products is only heated and not burned. The amounts of carcinogens are only about 10 % those of classic cigarettes. Nevertheless, the maxim applies: There are no safe doses.
Does smoking affect everyone the same?
The emergence of cancer is always at one imbalance between cancer-causing and cancer-preventing factors. The cancer-preventing factors include your immune system. Your immune system is partially able to destroy cancer cells that have formed. However, if it cannot destroy all of them, it can lead to one spread these same cancer cells come. Rutenbeck gives an example of the role of the immune system.
Our ex-Chancellor Helmut Schmidt smoked heavily. Still, he lived to be in his 90s and remained cancer-free. Other patients, on the other hand, develop lung cancer at a very young age, for example between the ages of 20 and 30. So while the immune system seems to have failed in these patients, Helmut Schmidt must have had an outstanding immune system.
Do you notice one Cluster of cancer cases in your family, it may indicate that immunity to cancer is not good in the family. Rutenbeck advises not to overtax your immune system with smoking, especially in this case.
The scientific link between smoking and cancer
Which types of cancer are favored by smoking?
As Rutenbeck explains, there are numerous types of tumors that are more common in smokers. This is due to the fact that the pollutants – especially from the tar/condensate – through the lungs into the blood be included. Once absorbed into the blood, they are transported to all organs.
Accordingly, cancer can develop not only in the organs that come into direct contact with tobacco smoke. Distributing the pollutants through the blood ensures that also in other organs cancer can be triggered. Kick hard Lung cancer, larynx cancer, cancer in the mouth/pharynx area, e.g. of the floor of the mouth or tongue, kidney cancer and bladder cancer on.
Lung cancer, oral cavity cancer, bronchial cancer and larynx cancer are or were about 90 % of affected smokers. Around a third of all cancers go according to the German Cancer Society probably due to smoking.
Why is smoking linked to cancer?
Smoking is closely linked to cancer due to the pollutants it contains. Cigarette smoke can complex mixture from tobacco distillation and combustion products. So far, more than 4,000 different chemical components of cigarette smoke have been identified.
At least 50 of these substances have been shown to be carcinogenic, i.e. cause cancer. Exemplary substances are N-nitrosamines, aromatic amines, aldehydes, inorganic components and radioactive elements. The carcinogenic substances can damage to the genome of the cells cause. If the immune system is weakened by smoking and cannot repair the damage, cancer can develop at the site. There is no tobacco that cannot cause cancer.
However, it is not just smoking that is directly associated with an increased risk of cancer. That too passive smoking is dangerous. If you, as a non-smoker, are frequently exposed to tobacco smoke in your living and working environment, there is also an increased risk of developing cancer. In Germany alone there are probably at least 400 lung cancer deaths per year that can be attributed to passive smoking.
Cancer prevention and smoking cessation
Rutenbeck gives the tip: If you want to quit smoking, you should not only “try” it, but also really want. It is important that you make a clear decision for yourself. It usually takes a lot of willpower to quit smoking.
Especially if smoking is already an integral part of your everyday life and a habit for you. And that It’s worth stopping: After about 12 hours, your oxygen level usually settles back into the normal range. As a result, all organs are better supplied with oxygen.
You will feel more powerful. It takes about two weeks to three monthsuntil circulation is fully stabilized and lung function improves. The longer you can stay smoke-free, the better off your health will be. Every little step can be considered a success.
Effective smoking cessation strategies
One way to begin the quit smoking journey would be one behavior therapy. For example, it can be mainly about coping with stress differently than with a cigarette. Here you can, for example, register directly online at the “smoke-free exit program” of the Federal Center for Health Education. In the case of chain smokers, an additional medicated Support become necessary.
It is best to ask if you are unsure or if you need support to your doctor or doctor after. They can help you personally and prescribe any medication you may need.
Importance of check-ups
The best preventive measure is, of course, if you, as a smoker, quit smoking altogether. According to Rutenbeck, you can go through all stages of lung cancer only 10% healed which is why the risk must be taken seriously. However, your chance of recovery is increased if the lung cancer is detected as early as possible.
Are you professionally exposed, the early detection examination is offered by the accident insurance. Occupationally exposed means that you are exposed to radiation during your professional practice or training. You should definitely take advantage of this offer. For other tumor diseases, there are health insurance offered screening tests.
These include early detection of colon, breast and prostate cancer. There is currently no special screening test for lung cancer. According to Rutenbeck, however, it will for lung cancer soon too an early detection program low-dose CT give.
Lifestyle factors and cancer risk
In addition to smoking, there is still numerous other risk factors, which must not be forgotten in relation to cancer. In addition to smoking can cancer in the respiratory tract or the lungs, for example according to Rutenbeck occupational exposures to carcinogens. This means if you are exposed to carcinogenic substances such as asbestos or tar fumes in road construction in your job. Exposure to heavy metals can occur in industry, hardwood dust in carpentry.
diet and exercise
Other known risk factors for other types of cancer are obesity and alcohol consumption. Both factors ensure that your immunity is further reduced. In terms of nutrition, one healthy and balanced Nutrition ensures that your immune system is strengthened. So you should try to eat as varied a diet as possible and to provide your body with all the important minerals and nutrients.
If risk factors also apply to the consumption of a lot of red meat, too much fat, sugar and salt (especially in finished products contain). This also applies to almost all types of cancer Too little movement as a risk factor. It is therefore important that you try to integrate sufficient exercise into your everyday life. The harmful effects of tobacco can other risk factors amplified become. For example, someone who drinks a lot of alcohol and smokes has a higher risk of developing the disease than someone who only smokes.
Conclusion
tobacco use is one of the most common single causes for cancer. There are some types of cancer that are particularly common in people who smoke or have smoked. If you want to reduce your own risk of disease, it is best not to smoke at all. Do you decide with a view to your health, with the To stop smoking, behavioral therapy and medication can help you. It is best to talk to your doctor about what makes sense for you. More risk factors you should also pay attention to diet and lifestyle.
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