5. Smoking: A Cloud of Risk for Colorectal Cancer
Smoking and lung cancer – an obvious link. But smoking and colorectal cancer? Yes, you read that right. Tobacco smoke is a cocktail of carcinogens, many of which find their way into your digestive system. Once there, they can damage the lining of the colon and rectum, starting a cascade of events that could lead to cancer.
The chemicals in tobacco smoke such as benzopyrene and nitrosamines interact with the cells in your digestive system. This isn’t a friendly interaction. These chemicals can cause genetic mutations, and as we’ve established before, mutations can be the beginning of a cancerous journey. The relationship here is far from coincidental.
What about the years you’ve been smoking? Duration matters. Studies have shown a stronger association between colorectal cancer and smoking in long-term smokers compared to those who’ve smoked for a shorter period. This isn’t a hall pass for new smokers; it’s a forewarning for those who think they’re invincible because they’ve dodged the bullet so far.
And if you think “light smoking” gets you off the hook, think again. Even limited exposure to tobacco smoke can increase the risk. This is because the carcinogens in tobacco are potent; they don’t need years to start causing damage. It’s like a ticking time bomb, and even a small spark can set it off.(5)
