Canada: Academics Highlight The Risk Of Breast Cancer And Smoking At WHO Conference

Main Category: Smoking / Quit Smoking
Also Included In: Breast Cancer;  Cancer / Oncology
Article Date: 05 Oct 2007 - 3:00 PDT

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Established research indicates that smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke can nearly double the risk of developing premenopausal breast cancer.

Dr. Kenneth C. Johnson, a senior epidemiologist and research scientist for the Public Health Agency of Canada, said: "There are an increasing number of studies that point to greater breast cancer risks for both smokers and women who never smoked, but who had regular long-term exposure to secondhand smoke."

Speaking at the 5th National Conference on Tobacco or Health he explained that, although the subject is controversial among researchers, the World Health Organization has announced it will reprint and distribute the 2005 California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) report in several languages.

"Enough studies have been published that they're setting off alarm bells and researchers and the medical community are starting to listen. The studies, combined with the chemical concerns surrounding tobacco smoke are compelling," he explained.

Dr Johnson added that, "Laboratory studies indicate that tobacco smoke contains 20 carcinogens linked to breast cancer. The evidence suggests that avoiding regular exposure to tobacco smoke is an important way to reduce the toll of breast cancer."

Secondhand smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals, of which more than 50 are known carcinogens. There is international scientific consensus that smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke results in several fatal diseases including an increased risk of heart disease and lung cancer.

In recent years, smoking rates have fallen steadily, from 25 per cent of the population in 1999 to 19 per cent in 2005. By continuing to build effective public policies and programmes, tobacco use can be reduced to marginal levels, which will lead to better health for all Canadians.

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