Smoking is linked to a higher risk of breast cancer in some people. Secondhand smoke may also increase the risk of breast cancer. Quitting smoking may help lower these risks.
The exact cause of breast cancer is unknown, but some risk factors make it more likely a person could develop breast cancer.
A person cannot change certain breast cancer risk factors, such as genetics or age, but they can change others, such as smoking.
Continue reading to learn about the link between cigarette smoke exposure and breast cancer, how smoking affects breast cancer treatment, and more.
The use of binary terms such as “male” and “female” or “men” and “women” in this article reflects the language of the sources we’ve used. Unless otherwise noted, it’s unclear whether the research we reference included participants with expansive gender identities.
Smoking
A
- who started smoking in adolescence or by the age of 17
- who started smoking before or at the time of their first period
- who started smoking 1 to 4 years after their first period
- with a family history of breast cancer who smoked at any time in their lives
- of childbearing age who are BRCA2 mutation carriers
- who smoked for at least 10 years
- who had stopped smoking for less than 20 years
- who smoked more than five cigarettes per day
Research from Breast Cancer Now also found the following:
- Women who smoked at some point in their lives were 14% more likely to develop breast cancer than those who had never smoked.
- Women who started smoking before age 17 had a 24% increased risk, while those who started smoking between ages 17 and 19 had a 15% increased rate of breast cancer.
- Smoking for over 10 years increased the risk of developing breast cancer by 21%, while those who smoked for over 30 years had a slightly higher risk at 22%
- Of the women who had quit smoking, there was still a 28% increased risk of developing breast cancer for those who had quit for less than 10 years.
Smoking can increase complications of breast cancer treatment.
For example, according to a 2020 review, smoking during radiation treatment can cause complications. These can include:
- a weaker response to treatment
- lower survival rates
- recurrence of cancer
- a possible increase in cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, and congestive heart failure
The study mentions that people who smoke still experienced a higher risk of major complications, such as difficulty healing after surgery and after breast reconstruction, even if they did not receive radiation therapy.
Passive smoking, also known as secondhand smoke, is the combination of smoke from the burning end of a cigarette and the smoke that people exhale.
Secondhand smoke contains over
According to a
More research is necessary to understand the potential link between secondhand smoke and breast cancer risk.
Quitting smoking can help lower a person’s risk for developing many smoking-related conditions, including breast cancer.
Most people quit smoking using a combination of medications and lifestyle changes.
Some tips for quitting smoking include the following:
- Discuss smoking cessation medications with a doctor.
- Set a quit smoking date.
- Start an exercise or walking program.
- Practice mindful meditation.
- Avoid smoking triggers.
- Try distractions such as watching television or reading a book.
- Find a buddy who also wants to quit smoking.
- Use a telephone quit-line such as
1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669). - Contact smoking cessation help programs, such as those offered by the
American Cancer Society and the American Lung Association.
Research shows that smoking is associated with an increased risk of breast cancer in some people, including those who started smoking during adolescence and smoked at least two packs per day.
People who do not smoke should avoid starting. For people who do smoke, programs are available to help with quitting. They can also talk with their doctor for more advice on ways to quit smoking.