Breast cancer, passive smoking linked

[Posted: Mon 06/06/2005]

Breast cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers among women in western countries, including Ireland. However while some of the disease's risk factors are known, such as genetics and age, many remain unexplained. Now a new study indicates that long-term exposure to passive smoking may have to be added to the list of risk factors.

Researcher, Dr Kenneth Johnson of the Public Health Agency of Canada, analysed data from 20 published studies, which had examined the link between passive smoking and breast cancer.

When all of the studies were combined, Dr Johnson found that long-term exposure to passive smoking was associated with a 27% increased cancer risk among women who were lifetime non-smokers.

This risk was even more marked among non-smokers who had not yet gone through the menopause. In fact, among these women, breast cancer risk increased by 68%.

Not surprisingly, active smoking was associated with a significant increase in breast cancer risk.

"This analysis of breast cancer risk finds that studies with comprehensive passive exposure assessment suggest that both passive and active smoking are risk factors for pre-menopausal breast cancer", Dr Johnson said.

His findings are published in the International Journal of Cancer.

Anonymous   Posted: 10/06/2005 09:24

Yet, moe evedence, if we needed it, in favour of a total smoking ban COMPLETELY ENFORCED in all indoor public areas.

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