Smoking Increases The Risk Of Prostate Cancer

A new study found that current smokers and those who quit smoking are twice at risk of developing prostate cancer after surgery. The study presented at the European Association of Urology at Madrid remarked that this analysis holds true for those who quit smoking less than ten years prior to the procedure.

An international group of scientists and clinicians analysed 7191 men who underwent prostatectomy and “they retrospectively looked at biochemical prostate cancer recurrence,” the press release stated. Among them, a third were non smokers with no history of smoking, a third were former smokers and a third were current smokers. Their progress was tracked for a period of 28 months. The study revealed that current smokers had two times more probability of recurring cancer compared with those who never smoked in their lives. It was also observed that the risk of those who had not reached ten years since quitting the habit was also the same as the current smokers. After ten years, it was seen that the risk dropped.

The lead researcher, Dr. Malte Rieken from the University Hospital, Basel, Switzerland, explained that the study is new and the analysis provided insights into the recurrence of cancer. This holds great value with regard to treatment. Initial research stated that smoking causes a reoccurrence of other types of cancer after treatment, so the current study proves such point. The press release states, “The fact that cancer recurrence can vary so dramatically due to smoking is probably one of the factors which may contribute to differences in prostate cancer mortality.”

Rieken suggested that it is best to stay away from the habit and not indulge too much. Considering the fact that risk drops considerably ten years after quitting smoking, one must get rid of the habit immediately. Former EAU Secretary-General, Per-Anders Abrahamsson (Malmo, Sweden) said that many research stated that diet and environmental factors cause prostate cancer but this is the first research confirming that the habit increased the risk of prostate cancer.

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