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Does cigarette smoking cause cancer? |
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Yes. People
who smoke have a ten times greater chance of get¬ting
cancer than people who don't smoke. Overall, smoking causes
30 percent of all cancer deaths. The risk of getting lung
cancer from cigarettes increases with the number you smoke,
how long you have been smoking, and how deeply you inhale.
Smoking also has been linked to cancers of the larynx,
esopha¬gus, pancreas, bladder, kidney, and mouth.
Although stopping is better, switching to low-tar, low-nicotine
cigarettes may reduce somewhat your risk of developing
lung cancer if you do not inhale more deeply, take more
puffs. or smoke more cigarettes than you did before you
switched.
However, switching to low-tar, low-nicotine cigarettes
will not reduce your risks of developing other cancers
and diseases, such as heart disease.
Animal studies also have con¬firmed that by-products
(tar) produced by smoking marijuana
can cause cancers.
Once you quit smoking, though, your risks begin to decrease
at once. The only way to eliminate your cancer risks due
to smoking is not to smoke at all. |
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Do all tobacco products
increase cancer risks'? |
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Yes. Although people who
smoke cigars and pipes are less likely to develop lung
cancer than cigarette smokers. they do risk developing
cancers of the mouth, tongue, and throat. Peo¬ple
who use snuff and chewing tobacco also risk getting cancer
of the mouth. |
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Will sunlight cause
skin cancer'? |
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Repeated exposure
to sunlightover a long period of time has been linked
to skin cancer. The sun's ultraviolet (UV) rays harm the
skin. These rays are strong¬est from 11a.m. to 2 p.m.
during the' summer, so that is when risk is. Fair-skinned
people are at greater risk than dark-skinned people. TI1ey
have less of a pif.,'l1lent called melanin in their skin
to block some of the sun's damaging rays. The harm done
is never fully repaired, even though the suntan or bum
fades away.
You can protect yourself from the sun's rays and still
spend a lot of time outdoors. Wear lightweight clothing
but choose long-sleeved shirts and long pants. Wear a
broad-brimmed hat or a ban¬dana. Use sunscreens. A
number If) on the label means most of the sun's UV rays
will be blocked out. |
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Can too many X-rays
increase my risk of getting cancer'? |
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Yes. large
doses of radiation are known to cause cancer. Although
you are exposed to very little radiation in a single X-ray,
get¬ting many X-rays over a long period does increase
your cancer risk . The hest practice is to dis¬cuss
each X-ray with your doctor or dentist to learn if each
is needed. If the X-ray is necessary. ask if X-ray shields
can be used to protect other parts of your body. |
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Is there any association between
estrogen use and cancer in women? |
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Use of the hormone estrogen
has been linked to cancer of the ute¬rus. Studies
have shown that women who took large doses of estrogens
for menopause symp¬toms have a greater risk of developing
uterine cancer than women who did not take estro¬gens.
Increases in risks to other cancers have been studied,
but the results have been unclear.
The association of birth control pills with cancer risk
has been studied. There is no conclusive evidence that
cancer is caused by any pills now sold. Study results
suggest, though, that the risk of breast and cervical
cancer might be higher in some groups of pill users. Also,
there is some evidence that pill users may have a lower
risk of cancers of the uterine lining and ovary. Pill
users should examine their breasts regularly and get regular
Pap tests.
Today, estrogens for menopause symptoms and for birth
control can be prescribed at very low levels. If you are
taking estro¬gens, you can help protect your¬self
by discussing dose levels with your doctor. |
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Will on-the-job exposure to .&:.
cancer-causing agents increase the risk of developing cancer? |
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Exposure to
some industrial agents increases cancer risks. The kinds
of workplace substan¬ces that cause cancer can be
divided into three broad groups: chemicals, metals, dusts
and fib¬ers. Only a small number of agents in these
groups actually cause cancer. They do damage by acting
alone or, probably more often, by acting in combination
with another workplace carcino¬gen or with cigarette
smoke. For example, studies have shown that breathing
in asbestos fibers creates an especially high risk of
lung disease and cancer. The risk is extremely high for
workers who smoke. In fact, some scientists suggest that
the main carcinogen in the work¬place is the cigarette.
Regulatory agencies, industries, and organized labor have
devel¬oped health and safety measures related to hazardous
exposures in the workplace. Some measures cover individual
safety. You can help protect yourself by knowing and following
such worksite health and safety rules. If pro¬tective
clothing or equipment (masks, respirators, coveralls,
gloves) are recommended or required for your job, wear
them. |
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Do bumps. bruises, or other injuries
cause cancer? |
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No. Injuries to the body
cannot cause cancer. Sometimes. treat¬ment for an
injury leads the doc¬tor to find a cancer that had
existed before but had not been noticed. |
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What can I do to reduce my chances
of getting cancer? |
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You can reduce your cancer
risks by limiting or avoiding exposure to or. use of cancer-causing
agents. You can help protect yourself. |
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