World No Tobacco Day raises awareness for sustainable alternatives and cancer prevention
In recent years, cancer has emerged as the second leading cause of death worldwide, closely following cardiovascular diseases. A significant contributor to both cancer and cardiovascular ailments is tobacco, a powerful carcinogen. The tobacco epidemic stands as one of the gravest health threats humanity has ever faced. It is crucial to acknowledge that all forms of tobacco consumption pose severe risks, leaving no safe level of exposure.
Tobacco usage stands as one of the most critical risk factors for cancer, with chewing and smoking being the primary methods of consumption. The development of cancer stands as one of the most significant health risks associated with tobacco use. While lung cancer is widely recognized as a tobacco-related disease, numerous other types of cancer, including those affecting the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, liver, bladder, kidney, colon, rectum, and even blood cancer like leukemia, have links to tobacco use.
As an oncologist surgeon with a decade of experience, I have treated countless patients and performed numerous cancer surgeries. However, I often find myself treating the effects rather than addressing the root cause: tobacco usage. While I have witnessed successful treatments, there are moments when tobacco prevails, leading to mortality due to advanced stages of cancer. A disheartening pattern emerges where patients quit tobacco during cancer surgeries but relapse after achieving temporary relief from cancer symptoms. This cycle of recurrence and mortality emphasizes the burden tobacco consumption places on cancer research progress.
Tobacco and Addiction: A Complex Battle
Medical professionals consider the treatment period as a teachable moment to help patients quit tobacco, though success rates vary due to addiction. People consume tobacco as it provides a reward or a sense of euphoria, and bowel habits can become intertwined with tobacco use. This results in addiction. Nicotine, a highly addictive substance, acts as the primary driver of smoking behavior. Tobacco contains nicotine alongside numerous other carcinogens. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) identifies 72 carcinogens in cigarette smoke. Each puff of smoke contains carcinogens that directly cause DNA mutations, leading to cancer.
Active Smokers vs. Passive Smokers
In my daily practice, I frequently encounter cancer patients who have a history of smoking, firmly establishing it as a primary cause of their cancer (known as firsthand smoking). More than 8 million people worldwide lose their lives each year due to firsthand smoking. However, there are cases where patients develop cancer without a smoking history, prompting further investigation into their spouse or family members’ smoking habits (known as secondhand smoking or passive smoking). Secondhand smoking is responsible for an estimated 1.2 million deaths annually. Shockingly, nearly half of all children breathe air polluted by tobacco smoke, and approximately 65,000 children perish each year due to illnesses linked to secondhand smoke.
Quit Tobacco Today!
Modifying or avoiding key risk factors and implementing evidence-based prevention strategies could prevent between 30% and 50% of cancer deaths. Foremost among these preventive measures is the avoidance and cessation of tobacco use. Seeking guidance from cancer specialists or psychiatrists can provide individuals with tailored plans and schedules to quit tobacco, as sudden cessation often leads to withdrawal symptoms and subsequent relapse. Nicotine replacement therapy, including patches and gums, along with medications to address withdrawal symptoms, remains a widely used method alongside counseling.
World No Tobacco Day: A Call for Sustainable Alternatives
Every year on May 31st, World No Tobacco Day serves as a global reminder of the consequences of tobacco farming and consumption. This year’s theme, “We Want Food, Not Tobacco,” highlights the need to raise awareness about alternative crop production and marketing opportunities for tobacco farmers
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