Smoking is widely considered to be a huge risk factor for many kinds of cancer, including breast cancer. As a matter of fact, this report states women are primarily vulnerable to developing breast cancer as a result of smoking and other risk factors such as aging and reproductive history. That said, while women are the demographic commonly associated with breast cancer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) cite that 1 in 100 people diagnosed with the disease are men. But are men’s risk of breast cancer as closely tied to smoking, too? Read on to understand the connection between smoking and breast cancer among men.
Cigarette smoking and breast cancer risks
Chronic smoking is generally linked to a higher risk of getting breast cancer due to the lingering toxins from cigarette chemicals, as seen here . For instance,
nitrosamines are confirmed carcinogens found in tobacco. While these organic compounds are also found at lower levels in everyday foods like vegetables,
meat, and dairy, they are concentrated in cigarettes, making them more dangerous.
Meanwhile, other cigarette chemicals like nicotine are not directly carcinogenic, but they can make it difficult to regulate an individual’s smoking habits. With
the different forms of nicotine on the cigarette market, it is important to understand where nicotine comes from. If you read this blog post , it explains that
natural nicotine comes from the leaf of the tobacco plant, which is the primary stimulant used in making cigarettes and cigars. Given recent scientific
developments, laboratories are now able to create nicotine composed of the same chemical properties without using any tobacco leaves at all. Regardless,
excessive nicotine consumption can lead to dependence, which in the case of cigarette smoking, can be harmful to the body in the long run.
Does smoking impact men’s breast cancer?
Although smoking is not a healthy habit in any way, shape, or form, there is no evidence that it increases men's risk for breast cancer. Instead, this
research shows that cigarette smoking increases the risk of lung cancer, which is also more common in men. That said, smoking can impact other avenues
of men's health. For instance, smoking is known to harm the immune system. This puts men's bodies at risk of being unable to identify and eliminate cancer
cells. Moreover, smoking hurts general fitness, which is a critical factor in preventing chronic diseases like breast cancer.
What are the bigger risk factors for men?
While smoking is not a huge risk factor for men’s breast cancer, it is important to shed light on what actually affects the development of the disease. The
CDC's article cites that some of the leading reasons for men’s breast cancer are aging, family history, genetic mutations, and excessive estrogen levels.
Contrary to popular belief, both men and women have testosterone and estrogen in their bodies. Men have less estrogen than women, of course, but it is
present in their system. As such, higher estrogen levels in men can increase the risk of breast cancer as this can stimulate breast tissue division, which is
often a breeding ground for cancer cell mutations.
Aside from this, other factors, such as being overweight or obese, can also make men vulnerable to developing breast cancer, as we discussed in a past
entry . This is primarily because excess fat can also lead to higher hormonal fluctuations and cause inflammation that makes it difficult for the body to combat
cancer cells. As such, men should generally try to lead a healthier lifestyle to avoid the risk of breast cancer and other related diseases.
Ultimately, while there is no evidence directly linking cigarettes to men's breast cancer, it remains a risky habit. Thus, for men who are currently battling this
disease or want to reduce their chances of developing it, letting go of smoking ensures your body has one less factor hurting it.
Editor, Cassuis Paxton