Tobacco & Cancer

1. Tobacco & Cancer

2. Tobacco Use And Cancer • Tobacco use, the most preventable cause of death in our society, accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths. • An estimated 45 million adults are current smokers in the United States. • About half of those who continue to smoke will die prematurely from smoking. • The best way to avoid getting cancer is to not start using tobacco or to quit using it. Tobacco & Cancer

3. Strength Of Evidence • Strong evidence over the years has found a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the use of tobacco and several types of cancer. Tobacco & Cancer

4. Cancers Affected • Tobacco use is the primary risk factor for lung cancer. • Tobacco use is also associated withcancer in other parts of thebody, including: • Cervix • Mouth • Pharynx • Larynx • Esophagus • Pancreas • Kidney • Bladder Tobacco & Cancer

5. Risk Factors • Smoking • Nearly 87% of all lung cancers are caused by smoking. • Smokers are 15 times more likely to die of lung cancer than people who have never smoked. • Secondhand Smoke Each year, secondhand smoke causes: • About 3,000 lung cancer deaths • 35,000 heart disease deaths • Respiratory illness and asthma attacks Tobacco & Cancer

6. Risk Factors • Cigars • Many of the same carcinogens found in cigarettes are also found in cigars. Cancers caused by cigar smoking include: – Lung – Oral cavity – Larynx – Esophagus – Pancreas (possibly) • Snuff • Oral cancer occurs several times more frequently among users than non-users. • Long-term snuff users may have nearly a 50-fold greater risk of cheek and gum cancers. Tobacco & Cancer

7. Reducing Your Risk • Quitting or not using tobacco substantially decreases the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. • If all adults stopped tobacco use and children did not start, at least 30% of all cancer deaths would be prevented. • People who quit, regardless of age, live longer than people who continue to smoke. • Smokers who quit before the age of 50 cut their risk of dying in the next 15 years in half. Tobacco & Cancer

8. How To Quit Tobacco Use • The most effective strategies for quitting tobacco use involve multiple approaches: • Behavioral therapy • Nicotine replacement therapy (gum, skin patches, inhaler, or spray) • Non-nicotine prescription medication • Group therapy • Advice from a doctor or other health care provider • Combination of therapies Tobacco & Cancer

9. Youths And Tobacco Use • The prevention of tobacco use among children and youth is equally important, since over 90% of smokers begin to smoke before age 18. • If children and youth can be prevented from starting, a substantial portion of tobacco-related health problems can be solved. Tobacco & Cancer

10. Hope For The Future • Researchers are looking at the role of genetics in tobacco-related cancers and tobacco dependence. • Studies are being conducted to determine how cancer risk can be reducedfor smokers who cannotstop. • Scientists are studying the potential for detecting lungcancer at its earliest, and most curable, stages. Tobacco & Cancer

11. Hope For The Future • Implementing policies that establish smoke-free environments is the most effective approach to prevent exposure and harm from secondhand smoke. • Presently in the US, more than 2,650 municipalities have passed smoke-free legislation and 28 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have implemented or enacted statewide smoking bans. Tobacco & Cancer

12. The Bottom Line • Stopping tobacco use, or not starting, is the single most important action that can be taken to reduce cancer in the United States. • If all adults stopped tobacco use and children did not start: • Nearly one-third of all cancer deaths would be prevented. • Billions of dollars would be saved. • Millions of family members and friends would avoid the sickness and premature death of a loved one. Tobacco & Cancer

13. Contact The American Cancer Society • American Cancer Society programs and services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. • To reach us: • Visit the American Cancer Society web site at www.cancer.org. • Call toll-free, 1–800–ACS–2345. Tobacco & Cancer

14. Additional Resources National Cancer InstituteCancer Information Service Telephone: 1–800–4–CANCER (toll free)Internet: www.nci.nih.gov Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support & Education (ALCASE)Telephone: 1–800–298–2436 (toll free) or 360–699–1944Internet: www.alcase.org American Lung AssociationTelephone: 1–800–586–4872 (toll free) or 212–315–8700Internet: www.lungusa.org Tobacco & Cancer

15. Additional Resources • American Heart AssociationTelephone: 1–800–AHA-USA1 (toll free)Internet: www.americanheart.org • Campaign for Tobacco-Free KidsTelephone: 202–296–5469Internet: www.tobaccofreekids.org • Center for Tobacco CessationTelephone: 1-202-585-3200 Tobacco & Cancer