Wednesday 9 March 2005
On National No Smoking Day, 9th March 2005 The Institute of Cancer Research reminds smokers that quitting makes sense, as evidence shows that the habit can damage all five senses; sight, taste, smell, hearing and even touch by causing cancer and other health conditions.
Smoking kills 120,000 people in the UK each year and is the main cause of cancer, causing at least 14 different forms of the disease including a four to five-fold increased risk of cancer of the oral cavity and a two-fold increased risk of cancer of the nasal and paranasal cavities, affecting sense of taste and smell.
In addition smoking is believed to cause or worsen several eye conditions. Smokers have a 40% higher rate of cataracts, a clouding of the eye’s lens that blocks light and may lead to blindness.
Smokers are also more susceptible to hearing loss caused by ear infections or loud noise and can lose their hearing earlier than non-smokers as the smoke deposits create plaque on blood-vessel walls, decreasing blood flow to the inner ear.
In genetically susceptible individuals smoking can cause Buerger’s disease, which can lead to tingling or numbness in the limbs, affecting sense of touch.
Professor David Phillips, scientist at The Institute of Cancer Research says: “The Institute was the first organisation to make the link between smoking and lung cancer. Tobacco is deadly and is linked with many different types of cancer as well as many other conditions which affect the senses and day to day quality of life.”
It is never too late to give up smoking and limit the damage it does to your body. 24 hours after quitting there is no more carbon monoxide present in the body. Breathing will become easier, skin problems may start to clear up and sense of smell and taste will start to improve.
The risk of getting lung cancer depends on how long a person has smoked; the sooner you quit the lower the risk. The risk of lung cancer halves after 10 smoke-free years and after 15 years a person’s health is almost the same as someone who has never smoked.
This No Smoking Day The Institute of Cancer Research urges smokers to come to their senses and give up this deadly habit.
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For further information, or to arrange interviews, please contact:
Marie MacLean
Press Officer
Institute of Cancer Research
Tel: 020 7153 5359
Email: [email protected]
Notes to editors
- The Institute of Cancer Research is a centre of excellence with leading scientists working on cutting edge research. It was founded in 1909 to carry out research into the causes of cancer and to develop new strategies for its prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.
- The Institute is a charity that relies on voluntary income. The Institute is a highly cost-effective major cancer research organisation with over 90p in every £ directly supporting research.
- Smoking has been linked to cancer in the following areas: Lung, Respiratory Tract, Upper Digestive Tract, Pancreas, Renal Pelvis, Bladder, Mouth, Pharynx (behind the nose), Larynx (voice box), Oesophagus (gullet), Stomach, Liver, Cervix and Kidney
- In addition to cancer, smokers are at increased risk of:
Stroke, Heart attack, Peripheral Vascular Disease, Aortic Aneurysm, Emphysema, Bronchitis, Cataract and delayed bone healing - Smoke causes cataracts in two ways: by irritating the eyes and by releasing chemicals into the lungs which then travel up the bloodstream to the eyes. Smoking is also associated with age-related macular degeneration, an incurable eye disease caused by the deterioration of the central portion of the retina, known as the macula. The macula is responsible for focusing central vision in the eye and controls our ability to read, drive a car, recognize faces or colours, and see objects in fine detail.
- Buerger’s disease, also known as thromboangitis obliterans, is an inflammation of the arteries, veins and nerves in the legs, principally, leading to restricted blood flow. Left untreated Buerger’s disease can lead to gangrene (death of body tissue) and amputation of the affected areas.
Please note:
Unfortunately the press office are unable to answer queries from the general public. For general cancer information please refer to The Institute's cancer information page.