Women Who Smoke Significantly Increase Their Risk Of Breast Cancer | HuffPost Life

Women Who Smoke Significantly Increase Their Risk Of Breast Cancer

The Huffington Post UK

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Shutterstock / ChameleonsEye

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in the UK, and is the second biggest killer among cancer in women, according to Cancer Research UK.

So listen up, because there is some very clear news that can help prevent this type of cancer.

According to new findings, young women who smoke and have been smoking a pack a day for a decade or more have a significantly increased risk of developing the most common type of breast cancer.

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That is the finding of an analysis published early online in Cancer, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. The study indicates that an increased risk of breast cancer may be another health risk incurred by young women who smoke.

The majority of recent studies evaluating the relationship between smoking and breast cancer risk among young women have found that smoking is linked with an increased risk; however, few studies have evaluated risks according to different subtypes of breast cancer.

To investigate, Christopher Li, MD, PhD, of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, and his colleagues conducted a population-based study consisting of 778 patients with estrogen receptor positive breast cancer and 182 patients with triple-negative breast cancer.

Estrogen receptor positive breast cancer is the most common subtype of breast cancer, while triple-negative breast cancer is less common but tends to be more aggressive.

Story continues below the slideshow:

Stunning Underwater Healing Photos of Cancer Survivors

Mailet, Breast Cancer Survivor (New York City)(01 of14)

At the age of 33, Mailet was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Despite the support she had from her family and friends, she wanted to meet someone her age who could really understand what she was going through so she built IHadCancer.com, an online peer-to-peer cancer community. She really enjoyed working with Erena to provide this opportunity to other IHadCancer members and found the whole experience to be very cathartic. Connect with Mailet: ihadcancer.com/mailetPhotos © Erena Shimoda (underwaterhealer.com)

Mailet, Breast Cancer Survivor (New York City)(02 of14)

At the age of 33, Mailet was diagnosed with stage 2 breast cancer. Despite the support she had from her family and friends, she wanted to meet someone her age who could really understand what she was going through so she built IHadCancer.com, an online peer-to-peer cancer community. She really enjoyed working with Erena to provide this opportunity to other IHadCancer members and found the whole experience to be very cathartic. Connect with Mailet: ihadcancer.com/mailetPhotos © Erena Shimoda (underwaterhealer.com)

Brian, Testicular Cancer Survivor (Maine)(03 of14)

Brian was diagnosed with thirteen tumors on his spine in 2008. After entering remission, he set out to help others by becoming an advocate for cancer fighters everywhere. As an avid cyclist who often bike rides over 50 miles in one day, he was immediately up to the challenge of an underwater portrait session with Erena. Connect with Brain: Ihadcancer.com/bsimiPhotos © Erena Shimoda (underwaterhealer.com)

Brian, Testicular Cancer Survivor (Maine)(04 of14)

Brian was diagnosed with thirteen tumors on his spine in 2008. After entering remission, he set out to help others by becoming an advocate for cancer fighters everywhere. As an avid cyclist who often bike rides over 50 miles in one day, he was immediately up to the challenge of an underwater portrait session with Erena. Connect with Brain: Ihadcancer.com/bsimiPhotos © Erena Shimoda (underwaterhealer.com)

Emily, Brain Tumor Fighter (New Jersey)(05 of14)

At the age of 24, Emily was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. After several surgeries to alleviate the pressure, she underwent radiation and chemo and is still dealing with many side effects. Earlier this year she lost all vision in her right eye and is losing vision on her left. She didn't let these physical limitations stop her from an underwater session with Erena - instead, she challenged herself and discovered how much she could accomplish. Connect with Emily: ihadcancer.com/emilyinthecityPhotos © Erena Shimoda (underwaterhealer.com)

Emily, Brain Tumor Fighter (New Jersey)(06 of14)

At the age of 24, Emily was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. After several surgeries to alleviate the pressure, she underwent radiation and chemo and is still dealing with many side effects. Earlier this year she lost all vision in her right eye and is losing vision on her left. She didn't let these physical limitations stop her from an underwater session with Erena - instead, she challenged herself and discovered how much she could accomplish. Connect with Emily: ihadcancer.com/emilyinthecityPhotos © Erena Shimoda (underwaterhealer.com)

Lindsey, Breast Cancer Survivor (Oregon)(07 of14)

After discovering a tumor during a regular breast exam, Lindsey was diagnosed at age 35 with stage 2, HER2 positive breast cancer in her left breast. Her extensive treatment included reconstruction, which left her feeling a bit uncomfortable in her new body. At the time of the session, she was still getting used to her new additions and felt a little strange but when the time came, she let the water calm her instead of overpower her with fear and self-doubt. Connect with Lindsey: ihadcancer.com/LindseyPearlPhotos © Erena Shimoda (underwaterhealer.com)

Lindsey, Breast Cancer Survivor (Oregon)(08 of14)

After discovering a tumor during a regular breast exam, Lindsey was diagnosed at age 35 with stage 2, HER2 positive breast cancer in her left breast. Her extensive treatment included reconstruction, which left her feeling a bit uncomfortable in her new body. At the time of the session, she was still getting used to her new additions and felt a little strange but when the time came, she let the water calm her instead of overpower her with fear and self-doubt. Connect with Lindsey: ihadcancer.com/LindseyPearlPhotos © Erena Shimoda (underwaterhealer.com)

Lori, Cervical Cancer (Washington)(09 of14)

Lori was diagnosed with Endocervical Adenocarcinoma in 2007 at age 34. She had two surgeries to remove her cervix and pelvic lymph system and afterwards found it difficult to return to a normal rhythm. Although she is an avid swimmer, she found the session to be very eye-opening and even difficult (in a good way)- reminding her of her own power to overcome obstacles such as cancer. Connect with Lori: ihadcancer.com/loriseattlePhotos © Erena Shimoda (underwaterhealer.com)

Lori, Cervical Cancer (Washington)(10 of14)

Lori was diagnosed with Endocervical Adenocarcinoma in 2007 at age 34. She had two surgeries to remove her cervix and pelvic lymph system and afterwards found it difficult to return to a normal rhythm. Although she is an avid swimmer, she found the session to be very eye-opening and even difficult (in a good way)- reminding her of her own power to overcome obstacles such as cancer. Connect with Lori: ihadcancer.com/loriseattlePhotos © Erena Shimoda (underwaterhealer.com)

Bernadette, Breast Cancer Survivor (Vancouver)(11 of14)

Four days before Bernadette's 34th birthday, she was diagnosed with stage 1 triple negative breast cancer. After she eventually entered remission, she was still struggling with her "new normal" and figuring out how to start living again. Her underwater session allowed her to jump out of her comfort zone and into the unknown for the first time since cancer. Connect with Bernadette: ihadcancer.com/BernadetteLPhotos © Erena Shimoda (underwaterhealer.com)

Bernadette, Breast Cancer Survivor (Vancouver)(12 of14)

Four days before Bernadette's 34th birthday, she was diagnosed with stage 1 triple negative breast cancer. After she eventually entered remission, she was still struggling with her "new normal" and figuring out how to start living again. Her underwater session allowed her to jump out of her comfort zone and into the unknown for the first time since cancer. Connect with Bernadette: ihadcancer.com/BernadetteLPhotos © Erena Shimoda (underwaterhealer.com)

Lisa, Breast Cancer Survivor (California)(13 of14)

Lisa was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in her left breast in 2011. Her treatment included neo adjuvant TAC chemo, radiation and a single mastectomy. Her cancer experience taught her how to appreciate the "here and now," and she related the process of trying to stay underwater to her new philosophy of being mindful and living in the present. Connect with Lisa: ihadcancer.com/lfinksmithPhotos © Erena Shimoda (underwaterhealer.com)

Lisa, Breast Cancer Survivor (California)(14 of14)

Lisa was diagnosed with Stage III breast cancer in her left breast in 2011. Her treatment included neo adjuvant TAC chemo, radiation and a single mastectomy. Her cancer experience taught her how to appreciate the "here and now," and she related the process of trying to stay underwater to her new philosophy of being mindful and living in the present. Connect with Lisa: ihadcancer.com/lfinksmithPhotos © Erena Shimoda (underwaterhealer.com)

Patients in the study were 20 to 44 years old and were diagnosed from 2004-2010 in the Seattle-Puget Sound metropolitan area. The study also included 938 cancer-free controls.

The researchers found that young women who were current or recent smokers and had been smoking a pack a day for at least 10 years had a 60 percent increased risk of estrogen receptor positive breast cancer. In contrast, smoking was not related to a woman's risk of triple-negative breast cancer.

"The health hazards associated with smoking are numerous and well known. This study adds to our knowledge in suggesting that with respect to breast cancer, smoking may increase the risk of the most common molecular subtype of breast cancer but not influence risk of one of the rarer, more aggressive subtypes," said Dr. Li.

(Source:Eurekalert.org)

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Health News cancer Smoking cancer prevention Breast Cancer

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