Nicotine Linked to Breast Cancer: More Bad News for Female Smokers

Image by Susan NYC via Flickr

It is well known that smoking cigarettes leads to an increase in lung cancer and oral cancers. Recent research has now shown that nicotine itself is linked specifically to breast cancer.

In a recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, Dr. Yuan Soon Ho of Taipei Medical University exposed nicotine to normal human breast cells and also to diseased human breast cancer cells. Results of this study showed that normal healthy breast cells exposed to nicotine developed characteristics of diseased breast cancer cells. Breast cancer cells exposed to nicotine produce a receptor for nicotine on the cell surface. In this study the breast cells produced alpha 9 subunit (a9-nAChr) of the nicotine acetylcholine receptor. The more advanced the breast cancer, the greater the number of these nicotine receptors. This means that the nicotine binding receptor has a direct impact on on the development and growth of breast cancer cells. More bad news for smokers.

Women who smoke and use hormone replacement therapy containing estrogen and progestins have double the risk of developing breast cancer compared to nonsmoking women on hormone replacement therapy.

In addition to nicotine, cigarettes contain many other cancer-causing chemicals such as cadmium, arsenic, tars and carbon monoxide. Even exposure to second hand smoke can lead to the appearance of nicotine in the breast milk of nursing mothers. Any source of nicotine, including the many nicotine patches and gum used to stop smoking can stimulate breast cancer cells through this newly discovered nicotine-breast cancer connection.

Furthermore, the heat of the smoke burns the tiny hair like cilia which sweep particles and debris from your airways and throat. Once these cilia are destroyed the capacity to remove inhaled particles from the lungs and throat and nasal passages is also destroyed.

Increased risks for women smokers include:

• Increased risk of breast cancer, lung cancer, oral cancers and cervical and vulvar cancers
• Increased risk of blood clots, stroke and heart attack (This risk is dramatically increased if women smokers are also using birth control pills or hormone replacement therapy containing estrogen and progestins)
• Increased risk of bone loss, osteoporosis and fractures of the hip and spine
• Increased rates of infertility
• Abnormal menstruation
• Early onset of menopause
• Increased risks in pregnancy and for the newborn: pre-term delivery, low birth weight, premature rupture of membranes(premature onset of labor), placenta previa, miscarriage and infant death.


• Newborns of mothers who smoke must go through nicotine withdrawal in the first weeks of life.


• Increased risk of respiratory diseases including asthma and emphysema destroying the capacity to breathe normally.
  
• Increased risk of high blood pressure

Among the many methods available, I use acupuncture, and find it a particularly effective method to stop smoking. Acupuncture has an impact on the physiologic addiction to nicotine. Typically three to six treatments are given over 14 days. Within 10 days the physical cravings decrease. Additionally, the psychological and behavioral issues associated with smoking must be addressed in order to successfully become a nonsmoker for life.

Smoking is the most PREVENTABLE cause of death in the U.S. Over 140,000 women die each year due to smoking related deaths. Women smokers not only put themselves at increased risk but also impact the health of their children, families and coworkers by exposing them to the dangers of second hand smoke.

Given the new evidence linking nicotine directly to breast cancer, now is the time to plan to quit smoking for life.

For more resources on alternative cancer care and cancer prevention click on this link.

Journal Reference:
Chia-Hwa Lee, Ching-Shui Huang, Ching-Shyang Chen, Shih-Hsin Tu, Ying-Jan Wang, Yu-Jia Chang, Ka-Wai Tam, Po-Li Wei, Tzu-Chun Cheng, Jan-Show Chu, Li-Ching Chen, Chih-Hsiung Wu, and Yuan-Soon Ho. Overexpression and Activation of the α9-Nicotinic Receptor During Tumorigenesis in Human Breast Epithelial Cells. Journal of the National Cancer Institute, 2010; DOI: 10.1093/jnci/djq300

 

 

 

Follow Dr. Nalini Chilkov on Twitter: www.twitter.com/doctornalini

Comments

[Bugs777Bunny]

10:10 PM on 09/15/2010

When I was a young boy, my uncle asked me to go and buy for him a pack of 20 cig. a day almost everyday. Because I know my uncle usually coughs and his breath was unbearable, I decide not to smoke and end up like him. So now, I'm glad I didn't, because not only this keeps me healthy but also saves me about at least 300 dollars a year! Imagine what I can do with this money instead of spending on cig. and end up so smelly and unhealthy!

[Tiara De Roth]

03:18 PM on 09/13/2010

I thought when the price was raised to over $10.00 for a pack of cigarettes would cause people to stop smoking just to save money. Guess not because I think if the price was raised to $20.00 people would still buy cigarettes. Nasty habit...good luck to those who have decided to quit.

[degenerate1991]

04:10 PM on 09/13/2010

If the price is raised, it will simply become cheaper to bootleg it, as is done with numerous other drugs.

[Happylib]

04:20 PM on 09/13/2010

As a recovering smoker I hate to tell you that I would have paid any price. I would have sold my soul for a cig, until I was ready to quit. The consequences of smoking started to show and it scared me. Prior to that I would have robbed someone to get my fix. Sad, but true.

[binksmom85]

08:46 PM on 09/13/2010

nicotine is harder to quit than crack or heroin, according to former addicts

[Cristina Page]

02:46 PM on 09/13/2010

Dr. Chilkov, Does this mean nicotine gum and other nicotine-delivery smoking cessation methods are unsafe and linked to breast cancer?

[Labrat33]

11:22 PM on 09/13/2010

If they work and actually help you quit smoking, I would think that would definitely be safer than continuing to smoke. If you expect them to MAKE you stop smoking though, and you don't actually quit, I wouldn't think double dosing like that could possibly be a good idea.

[Nalini Chilkov]

02:06 AM on 09/14/2010

Yes, this research tells us that nicotine in any form turns on cancer genes..however.... I do agree with one commenter..that if the short term use of these methods lead you to become a non smoker then we are weighing the shorter term risk of nicotine gum with the long term benefit of being a life long non smoker. In my clinical experience...transforming oneself into a non smoker for life takes a lot more inner work than using gum instead of cigarettes. The key to dealing with addiction is not just about the substance. Nicotine withdrawal is a 10-14 day physical process..but the psychological and behavioral issues must then be dealt with..and this is a life's work for some.

[Beth Boyle]

12:48 PM on 09/13/2010

When the corporations finally stop pushing cigarettes on the young here they will simply increase the attempts to hook people in other nations.

[binksmom85]

08:45 PM on 09/13/2010

they been there done that, new users born every second, so push the envelope marketing to the young

[WykydRed]

04:20 AM on 09/16/2010

Gee.... it wouldn't be the failing of parents to teach their kids how to actually see marketing would it? Naaah. That would require parents to like, actually spend time with their kids. More than they'd like. And teachin' is fer teachers, ain't it? So if your kid smokes, it's THEIR fault, them lousy teachers!

I smoke my brains out. My child does not. Nor is she a consumer. Okay, actually she became a Wiccan and makes lots of things out of sticks and leaves and rocks. And I LOVE that! So she got something from me, the atheist. And she left out something she didn't want to do: smoke. Actually, it's pretty easy, but all parents think about nowadays... (I'm gettin old! "Nowadays"?!?!) is "what will everyone think of ME if my child: smokes/ likes drugs/ is obese/ isn't perfect? Why... they'll think I wasn't a a perfect parent! Gasp! Gotta nip THAT in the bud!" Live your life. Raise your kids. Let other people do the same instead of worrying about people you can't effect.

[guveqzero]

11:29 AM on 09/13/2010

And our corporations still make billions on these products, and export it to the world. It makes US law seem foolish and the US government look corrupt.

[Beth Boyle]

12:44 PM on 09/13/2010

Our government is corrupt.

[Dana1982]

11:10 AM on 09/13/2010

No one has the right to run up the cost of health care. We should either refuse to treat those who smoke, as they caused their own problems or outlaw tobacco outright.

[arabianway]

01:05 PM on 09/13/2010

Do you eat fast food? Factory farmed meat or dairy? Do you drink soft drinks? Artificially sweetened desserts or beverages? Are you among the 30% of Americans calssified as obese? Any processed food in your cupboards or fridge?
As this blog illustrates, evidence about the negative health consequences of tobacco are still coming out. I would like to suggest that health consequences from ingesting the above will become increasingly clear as well. Will this stop people who like these foods and beverages from ingesting them? We'll see. An ounce of prevention is still worth a pound of cure. As far as running up the cost of the health care system, the practice of reviving dying individuals who no longer have the desire to live and would prefer that others not dial 911 so they could do just that is where the finger should be pointed. Everyone should have an advanced care directive.

[WykydRed]

04:13 AM on 09/16/2010

Wow! GREAT post arabianway. Truly. Well said. Oh...and I like the cat. ;)) fanned and following!

[degenerate1991]

04:11 PM on 09/13/2010

Smokers cost less to society, because they die sooner. Most healthcare costs are incurred in old age.

[binksmom85]

08:47 PM on 09/13/2010

and what about the years of chemo surgery radiation for the cancer patient? that end of life expense is high whether young or old

[coastalcarla]

10:55 AM on 09/13/2010

I quit last Friday, after smoking a pack a day for 28 years. I'm ready to crawl the walls today! This is the first serious attempt I've ever made to quit. Anyone have any suggestions, besides drinking lots of water? I feel like an over inflated water bed right now, and I'm still craving the dumb things like crazy. I am unable to take the pills or the patches because I'm allergic to them - so I'm doing this cold turkey. Any suggestions from former smokers that have quit will help me immensely. And suggestions about what to do about the incredible headache I've been sporting for three days are welcome, as well.

[lioness76]

11:59 AM on 09/13/2010

I quit 2 weeks ago after 18 years. I'm using nicotine gum & it works great, but if you can't use that, just use regular gum. I should still be using 10 pieces a day according to the directions, but I'm down to two with a few pieces of regular gum mixed in. That seems to help with the oral fixation & 'getting in the car' ritual. If you just quit on Friday, your sense of smell should be coming back right about now. The smell of smoke makes me nauseous now & I can't believe I ever did that. Maybe try Advil or a baby asprin for your headache? Best of luck!!!

[coastalcarla]

07:26 PM on 09/13/2010

I got into my car before work this morning and gagged. I hadn't been in it since Friday when I quit, and cleaned out the ashtray for the last time. Blech!

Now I'm really glad that I always had the policy of never smoking in my house. I can get my winter coats dry cleaned, and that should do it for the indoor stuff. But the car was gnarly this morning, that's for sure.

[tbone99]

02:52 PM on 09/15/2010

Put the money you are saving into a fund just for your pleasure . travel, or whatever.

[arabianway]

01:11 PM on 09/13/2010

Try and focus on all the negatives about smoking. Socially and politically undesireable; costly; smelly;
fewer and fewer places to actually smoke. And of course the consequences to ones health. Every once in a while (like when watching a foreign film where smoking is as natural as breathing) I still want one. But, it passes. Good luck!

[Susan B. Dopart, M.S., R.D.]

10:53 AM on 09/13/2010

Great Article Nalini and excellent description regarding why smoking is so hazardous to our health and happiness!

Susan B. Dopart, M.S., R.D.

[WykydRed]

10:53 AM on 09/13/2010

Sigh...just another hyperbolic piece to force people to stop smoking, and the launching ramp to ban e-cigs. Not going to work. We're done with the health Gestapo and their "we'll tell people the things we don't like are bad, and lie about the scientific data, and people are sure to do what we demand! I mean, we demanded McDonald's post calorie counts, and once people saw them, they stopped eating there, didn't they? What? They didn't?!? They ate MORE!! Well, we thought they were going to do what WE want, so I guess we'll just have to make laws to force them. Er...we can't make laws that force people to not eat at McDonald's? Why I never! Okay. Kids. Kids are great weapons! I know, we'll attack toys in Kid's Meals! We'll say it's unfair and using kids to force their parents to feed them at McDonald's. No one argues when kids are the victims! Well, we'll raise taxes! On Happy Meals! Look at how neato it worked with cigarettes! Why just NO ONE in this country smokes at all anymore because we told them they couldn't even smoke in their houses! It was child abuse! hahahaha. Aren't we smart and clever! We can ban EVERYTHING we don't like because we're smart and liberal and progressive!"

Nicotine has NEVER been a carcinogen and this "data" isn't in court proving anything. None of the data is because it doesn't. Hormonal Replacement Therapy causes lung cancer.

[binksmom85]

08:53 PM on 09/13/2010

the usual nicotine delivery system of smoking is carcinogenic. Get a book called "The Secret History of the War on Cancer" or "The Hundred Year Lie"

[WykydRed]

02:02 AM on 09/14/2010

Why? Will it change 23 of working in the health field?... Seeing the research for myself? Will it somehow make me forget that families who have "lost a loved one" to cancer need desperately to find one, specific "bad guy"? Will it remove my remembrances of hostile doctors with their own agendas of hate who gave flat out false information to people? Who used to laugh at any smoker with cancer (any kind of cancer) and liked to guffaw, "Serves them right!" and would deny them proper treatment because "that's what they deserve. Did it to themselves." Or the jerks who used to give patients "the talk", knowing that the test came back negative, but just wanted to throw "a scare" into a smoker? People die. They die of cancer and heart attacks and drinking too much and eating "wrong" and getting splatted under someone's tires because they ran out in the street without looking. Death is not "fair". It kills people. Seems to me Americans want to "fix the world and free it from death" because they're scared to death of dying. Good luck with that, but thanks everyone for making our lives so f'ing miserable in the meantime.

[Tina Eib]

10:25 AM on 09/13/2010

Smoking is both an addiction and a way to avoid some stress (only for a few moments though) I quit after smoking a pack or more a day for 35 years. It was the HARDEST thing I've ever done..EVER..but that was almost 10 years ago. I used the nicotine patch as an aid, but if I had to do it again, I think I'd choose the gum. Yes, you can get addicted to the nicotine gum, but they say that's easier to quit than the actual cigarettes. I'm so glad I finally quit...didn't realize at the time how bad the smell was in my hair, clothes, car, etc. But most of all, I'm not as frightened about the health issues caused directly from smoking...at least they are now greatly lessened. If you still smoke, I can only tell you that I thought I'd never quit...I liked smoking and it made my times of stress more bearable, I thought. But if I COULD
QUIT, I'm telling you ANYBODY CAN. That's how I hope to inspire you. IT'S TRUE. Good luck and bless you.

[LBurton]

10:04 AM on 09/13/2010

Another good reason to quit...

[BillBadger]

10:20 AM on 09/13/2010

I always thought that it would be easier to quit if I was repeatedly stabbed with needles.