Thursday, August 18, 2011

Women smokers at greater health risk



No one can escape the fact that smoking damages health and can lead to heart disease and cancer. And yet, one sub population of people - young women - continue to smoke in increasing numbers!

Now there is evidence to suggest that these are the very ones who should NEVER SMOKE as women appear to be at greater risk from developing heart disease - a 25% increase - when compare to the male of the species. Women also have twice the risk as men of developing lung cancer, so there is a real need to target this group to reduce the number of smokers, and reduce the deadly impact of these diseases on them.

A recent article in the Lancet reviewed studies between January 1, 1966, and December 31, 2010, and looked at 86 trials, involving over 3 million women, so the information they gleaned is not without statistical impact. That there is a 25% increased risk in women over men is a fact: why there is an increase is more difficult to discern. Is it because women absorb the toxins in tobacco more efficiently; or is it due to a more potent toxicity of the chemicals found in cigarette smoke, on women?

Whatever the reason, one thing is certain: prevention is far more effective, far less painful, and far less costly than having to treat heart disease or lung cancer.

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