The Center for Disease Control, the CDC, in Atlanta, Georgia, states that there are 151,322 cancer deaths annually that are directly attributed to smoking. Men who smoke are 22 times more likely to die from lung cancer than their non-smoking counterparts. Women are not off the hook. Women are 12 times more likely to die from lung cancer than their non-smoking counterparts.

Since the 1950's the association of smoking and premature death has been studied extensively. The gene that is involved in this deadly disease is really the target of the carcinogens that are in tobacco smoke. The gene is the p54 gene. This is a normally very protective gene that will protect the body from cancer. However, once it is mutated, it will actually feed the cancer. The carcinogens that are in tobacco smoke will actually cause the mutation of the gene and then turn on the cancer. As I reported earlier this week, the American Cancer Society has proof that the low-tar cigarettes offer no relief from the cancer risk. In fact, this type of low-tar cigarette was actually responsible for cancers that reached further into the lung tissue.

Another fact that is reported by the American Cancer Society is that prostate cancer is much higher in men who smoke versus men who do not smoke. Smoking is significantly linked to throat, breast and bowel cancer. The following list has been associated with smoking. I think this will be quite a surprise for many of us. I thought throughout the earlier part of my career that smoking really only increased the risk of lung cancer. In fact, it is actually linked to many other cancers.

Cancers related to Smoking:

• Adult Chronic Leukemia
• Adult Acute Leukemia
• Esophageal Cancer
• Lung Cancer
• Cervical Cancer
  
• Throat and Larynx Cancer
• Pancreatic Cancer
• Stomach Cancer
• Bladder Cancer

The facts are here. The real question is what is the average smoker going to do with these facts. In effect it is the individual's choice. 

We do know that Vitamin E and other anti-oxidants will help to scavenge the free radicals, removing them from the body and thereby reducing the risk of cancer significantly. Are you taking your Vitamin E and your CoQ10?

Continue to open and read the Daily Dose. I am turning up the heat. I know that it is much easier for you and I to stay health than to get healthy. If you are not healthy, make the decisions now to get healthy.

If you don't take care of the body you are in, where else are you going to go?

To your Health,

Dr. Michelle Haendiges