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Research: Smoking women at risk

Oncology specialist Dr. Ebru Karcı, noting that lung cancer is more common in men, stated that a study conducted in the USA has challenged conventional wisdom regarding the disease. Karcı said, "In the study, which analyzed data from the last 20 years, the incidence of lung cancer in women aged 30 to 49 was found to be higher than in men for the first time. Even passive and third-hand smoking women are affected more than men."

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Stating that deaths due to lung cancer are becoming more common, Oncology specialist Dr. Ebru Karcı said, "Lung cancer causes more deaths than breast, prostate, colorectal, and brain cancers combined. Now, there are almost an equal number of new cases in women and men, and women account for nearly half of all lung cancer deaths."

Stating that there were 41 thousand new lung cancer cases in Turkey in 2020 and that 37 thousand people lost their lives due to the disease, Assistant Professor Ebru Karcı made statements regarding World Lung Cancer Awareness Day.

'WOMEN WHO ACTIVELY SMOKE...'

She stated that smoking has a greater carcinogenic effect on women compared to men. Referring to a study conducted on 600 thousand participants, Karcı said, "Lung cancer developed in 6500 people, and the rate of developing lung cancer in women who actively smoke compared to non-smoking women was found to be significantly higher than the rate of developing lung cancer in men who actively smoke compared to non-smoking men. For women, smoking increases the risk of lung cancer by 1.64 times, while it increases it by 1.43 times in men," she said.

'RADON GAS' WARNING

Stating that tobacco products are the most carcinogenic substance known to increase the risk of lung cancer and that smokers are at 25 to 40 times higher risk than non-smokers, Karcı also listed non-smoking causes of lung cancer.

Karcı made the following statements on the subject:

"Asbestos is a group of minerals found naturally in fiber form, used in some industries as insulation material. It has been observed that the risk of developing lung cancer in workers exposed to asbestos is 3 to 4 times higher than in those who are not exposed. This increase is higher in those working in industries such as shipbuilding, asbestos mining, insulation work, and brake repair.

Radon gas is an odorless radioactive gas. Radon gas, which mixes into the air inside our homes from the ground after uranium turns into radon in the lands where our houses are located and especially in regions rich in uranium content, contributes to the formation of lung cancer through inhalation. The radon rate varies from country to country and region to region. According to some sources, it is the most important cause of lung cancer after smoking.

A relationship has been found between exposure to air pollution and lung cancer. However, this relationship has not been clearly defined and more research is needed."

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