Ever think about the dangers of smokeless tobacco? If you use
smokeless tobacco your first thoughts are probably the chance of
contracting lip, tongue, throat and stomach cancer. These are certainly
cancers that have been proven to develop from smokeless tobacco use.
Many people are not aware
that smokeless tobacco has a more far ranging effect on the human body
than those diseases mentioned above. It has been shown that smokeless
tobacco can increase greatly the chances of developing bladder cancer.
What is frightening is that so many people now using and those who will
soon begin to use smokeless tobacco have no idea of the serious effects
this substance can bring down upon unsuspecting users.
Carcinogins
found in tobacco have been shown to increase the risk of bladder cancer
by up to 400% in users vs. those who do not use. Even more frightening
this risk factor remains for years even after the user quits tobacco
completely. Scary thought, huh?
What educators in the tobacco cessation arena need
to be aware of is finding a way to get across the truth that just
because smokeless tobacco is smokeless it isn't harmless. Smokeless
tobacco doesn't just stay in the oral cavity. It gets swallowed into the
stomach and it gets into your esophagus and bladder.
I would like to add an interesting paragraph from a study called: Clinico-pathological features of bladder carcinoma in women in Pakistan and smokeless tobacco as a possible risk factor
Muhammad Rafique1
1Department of Urology, Nishtar Medical College, Multan, Pakistan
Corresponding author.
Muhammad Rafique: rafiqanju/at/hotmail.com
Received April 12, 2005; Accepted August 5, 2005.
."Transitional
cell carcinoma is the most common bladder malignancy in women in
Pakistan. Most women with bladder carcinoma have long history of use of
smokeless tobacco. At the time of diagnosis 75% women have muscle
invasive bladder carcinoma. In women using smokeless tobacco, there is
significant correlation between stage of bladder carcinoma and duration
of smokeless tobacco use. Further studies are required to clarify the
role of smokeless tobacco in the development of bladder carcinoma."
Does chewing and dipping cause bladder cancer?
We have seen a lot of evidence that points to a correlation of bladder
cancer and tobacco use. There remains a lot of research left to do
before the final verdict is in. In my humble opinion, the information
that I have studied in preparation to write this short, general article
has convinced me that the possibility that it does cause bladder cancer
far outweighs any scientific information stating that it doesn't.
When it comes right down to it,
knowing all of the things that the use of smokeless tobacco certainly
does makes the use of it illogical. When we add the fact that there is
much sound evidence that smokeless tobacco can affect the body to the
degree of producing bladder cancer, it just makes good sense:
1) If you don't chew, dip or smoke - don't.
2) If you do use tobacco in any form - seriously consider finding a good cessation program and quit.
