Cigarette smoking

Cigarette smoking is unquestionable and confirmed in many researches cause of tumours. Cigarette smoke contains about 4 thousand of harmful substances, where over 40 are improved carcinogens. It should be remembered, that passive smoking is as harmful as the active. Smoking increases the risk of morbidity from many tumours. Unquestionable relation with smoking has been proved in 90% incidences of lung cancer, 80-90% incidences of cancer of oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus and 30% of incidences on cancer of urinary bladder and pancreas.

Direct dependence between number of smoked cigarettes and duration of the habit and risk of neoplastic disease also exists. It should be remembered, that decrease of the risk of incidence of tumours is visible just after two years of smoking. After twenty years of break up with habit, risk is only insignificantly higher than among people who have never smoked. It results, that it is never too late to break up with smoking. Thinking, that if smoking lasted for a very long time, break-up with habit will not change anything is completely wrong. However it would be the best if we never reach for cigarette, and as the smokers – we should quite it as soon as possible.

About 90% of incidence of lung cancer among men and near 80% among women is caused by cigarette smoking. Unfortunately, majority of early cancers, giving a chance on recovery, is asymptomatic. Almost all early cancers are detected accidentally, during diagnostics of other ailments. In Poland les than 10% of patients survive 5 years from the moment of diagnosis. What is more, none screening examination has improved influence on mortality decrease because of this cancer. The newest results of researches with use of spiral computed tomography, which may indicate on possible earlier detection of cancer in operable stage, are promising, however cost of this method makes, and that its use in screening is questionable. These results confirm that so far the most effective, and simultaneously the cheapest method to decrease mortality from the lung cancer is break-up with smoking. It should not be forgotten, that cigarette smoking increases risk of incidence of not the tumours only, but also of diseases of circulatory system, what is the first in frequency cause of death in our society are.

Life style, grade of environmental pollution, way of nutrition i quality of food products (more about carcinogenic factors on page 16) decide if in the men tumour will develop. Fortunately, proper life style and nutrition may also prevent the tumour’s development.

Improper diet

Connections of nutrition with tumours development become a subject of interest in 70’s of XXth century. In 1982 the American Academy of Sciences edited “Diet, Nutrition and Cancer", where view has been presented, that 40%-60% of incidences of cancer has relation with food and nutrition. In some (unfortunately few) cases scientists were able to discover, which substance is responsible for formation of each tumour. Such substance is jest i.e. aflatoxin B1, causing liver cancer. Nitrosamines are also the compounds of strong carcinogenic action. Other factors that increase morbidity from tumours are also fats, especially fried and rancid, salt, alcohol, saccharine, some compounds of coffee, tea, fungi, beer and many others. It is impossible to mention all carcinogenic compounds located in food. It is also impossible to show direct connections between specified product and risk of neoplastic disease. Many carcinogenic substances and simultaneously anticarcinogenic substances are consumed with food. This is why all guidelines co do nutrition has general character and concern prevention of many, not only neoplastic, diseases.

Consumption of alcohol deserves separate attention. In the last years it is said about its saving action in prophylaxis of atherosclerosis, however, in aspect of the neoplastic diseases, recommended two drinks daily for women and three for men is too much. Alcohol increases risk of tumours of oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, esophagus, liver and breasts.

Excess of sun

Beside nutrition also other environmental factors deserve the attention. One of them is ultraviolet radiation, which in excessive dose may cause some skin tumours. Excessive skin insolation, especially in midday hours should be avoided. Tanning with artificial sources of radiation UV is harmful too. Use of crams with filters, which must block both UVA and UVB radiation, is recommended. Part of creams protects against UVB radiation only, preventing burns formation, while passes UVA radiation through, being responsible for increased frequency of skin tumours.

Very important factor from the range of environmental interaction is occupational exposition on some substances, i.e. asbestos or aniline. BHP norms should be obeyed; protective clothing and filters should be used. People with other risk factors of tumour should not work on such position (i.e. habitual smoker should avoid contact with asbestos).

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