According to Medical News Today, cigarettes contain thousands of toxic chemicals, many of which are carcinogenic. Some studies have shown that women who start smoking from adolescence, or smoke for a long time, are at higher risk of breast cancer.
According to a 2017 study: Women who start smoking before the age of 17 have a 24% higher risk of breast cancer.
Smoking for more than 10 years increases the risk by 21%, and if you smoke for more than 30 years, the risk increases by 22%.
Even if you have stopped smoking, if the time of stopping is less than 10 years, the risk is still 28% higher than for people who have never smoked.
In particular, people with the BRCA2 strain a genetic factor related to breast cancer if they smoke, the risk of the disease will increase.
Passive cigarette smoke from the smokers head and breath contains more than 7,000 chemicals, of which at least 69 can cause cancer.
A 2018 study showed that women exposed to secondhand smoke have a higher risk of breast cancer. Although more research is needed to determine the link, this is still an important warning for those who live with smokers.
Smoking affects the treatment of breast cancer
Smoking not only increases the risk of disease but also negatively affects the treatment process.
According to an overview in 2020:
Smokers have a weaker reaction to radiotherapy.
Lower survival rate and higher risk of recurrence.
Increased risk of cardiovascular complications such as heart attack, stroke.
Difficulty recovering from surgery or breast reconstruction, even without radiotherapy.
Smoking - whether proactive or passive - is a significant risk factor for breast cancer. Being aware of this connection and proactively quitting smoking not only protects yourself but also protects those around you from the risk of serious illness.
