Smoking and Urological Cancers

Smoking, Urological Cancers

Smoking is responsible for the deaths of 7 million people a year in the world. Smoking is the most important risk factor attributed to cancers and is responsible for approximately 1/3 of cancer-related deaths.

About 60% of patients diagnosed with cancer are either active or former smokers. Mostly associated with lung cancer; cigaret is the biggest risk factor for bladder cancer, laryngeal and other respiratory tract cancers.

Bladder cancer is the 5th most common cancer in Europe when both genders are considered. It accounts for about 5% of all cancer cases. Smoking is responsible for approximately 50% of patients diagnosed with bladder cancer.

The risk increases exponentially as the duration and daily amount of cigarette smoke increases. Aromatic amines detected in cigarettes are the main factor. Since smoking is found to be the culprit in the progression of the disease after diagnosis, scientific data emphasize that it is important to quit smoking even after the diagnosis of bladder cancer.

For prostate cancer, which is the second most common cancer for the male sex, the data in recent years are negative for smoking. Smoking has also been found to be a risk factor for prostate cancer in terms of cancer-related death, aggressive tumor progression, and poor prognosis. Cadmium detected in cigarettes is the main factor.

Smoking is also an important factor for kidney cancer, which is among the top 10 most common cancers in Europe. Approximately 50% of patients diagnosed with Kidney Cancer  are either active smokers or former smokers. It is essential to quit smoking in order to be protected from this type of cancer, which we can see even at very young ages.

It has not been proven that smoking is a risk factor for testicular cancer, which is one of the other urological cancers. Other than smoking, more important risk factors are known. (See: Testicular Cancer Treatment, Surgery)

I've been smoking for a long time, am I too late?

It is known that the duration and amount of smoking are important for cardiovascular diseases, cancers and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD),which are the main causes of smoking-related deaths. However, in the light of scientific data, it should be known that the person who quits smoking will have a longer life expectancy and less negative effects of smoking-related diseases, regardless of the stage.

As this process will be beneficial at all ages, quitting smoking especially under the age of 40 will provide significant benefits.

How can I quit smoking?

Although smoking cessation clinics cannot be reached at desired levels in the world, it will be beneficial for you to get medical support. In my personal opinion, the person who will quit smoking should first create a quit model and this model should be an honest and convincing model. The quit period should proceed in a planned manner and with strict rules. The process should not be prolonged.

Any change of mood or stress factor (business, divorce,death of parents) should not be allowed to undermine this process.

The person who wants to quit smoking must assimilate that the nature of life requires breathing clean air and that this polluted chemical air is incompatible with human nature and will not smoke no matter what the conditions are. He should sincerely seek help from his family, friends and surroundings in this process.

It would be beneficial to request support from non-governmental organizations, associations, as well as from the website, telephone line or offices.