1. Tobacco & Cancer

2. Tobacco Use And Cancer Tobacco use, the most preventable cause of death in our society, accounts for at least 30% of all cancer deaths. An estimated 45 million adults are current smokers in the United States. About half of those who continue to smoke will die prematurely from smoking. The best way to avoid getting cancer is to not start using tobacco or to quit using it.

3. Tobacco & Cancer Strength Of Evidence Strong evidence over the years has found a clear cause-and-effect relationship between the use of tobacco and several types of cancer.

4. Tobacco & Cancer Cancers Affected Tobacco use is the primary risk factor for lung cancer. Tobacco use is also associated with cancer in other parts of the body, including: Cervix Mouth Pharynx Larynx Esophagus Pancreas Kidney Bladder

5. Tobacco & Cancer Risk Factors Smoking  Nearly 87% of all lung cancers are caused by smoking.  Smokers are 15 times more likely to die of lung cancer than people who have never smoked. Secondhand Smoke Each year, secondhand smoke causes:  About 3,000 lung cancer deaths  35,000 heart disease deaths  Respiratory illness and asthma attacks

6. Tobacco & Cancer Risk Factors Cigars  Many of the same carcinogens found in cigarettes are also found in cigars. Cancers caused by cigar smoking include : – Lung – Oral cavity – Larynx – Esophagus – Pancreas (possibly) Snuff  Oral cancer occurs several times more frequently among users than non-users.  Long-term snuff users may have nearly a 50-fold greater risk of cheek and gum cancers.

7. Tobacco & Cancer Reducing Your Risk Quitting or not using tobacco substantially decreases the risk of cancer and cardiovascular disease. If all adults stopped tobacco use and children did not start, at least 30% of all cancer deaths would be prevented. People who quit, regardless of age, live longer than people who continue to smoke. Smokers who quit before the age of 50 cut their risk of dying in the next 15 years in half.

8. Tobacco & Cancer How To Quit Tobacco Use The most effective strategies for quitting tobacco use involve multiple approaches:  Behavioral therapy  Nicotine replacement therapy (gum, skin patches, inhaler, or spray)  Non-nicotine prescription medication  Group therapy  Advice from a doctor or other health care provider  Combination of therapies

9. Tobacco & Cancer Youths And Tobacco Use The prevention of tobacco use among children and youth is equally important, since over 90% of smokers begin to smoke before age 18. If children and youth can be prevented from starting, a substantial portion of tobacco-related health problems can be solved.

10. Tobacco & Cancer Hope For The Future Researchers are looking at the role of genetics in tobacco-related cancers and tobacco dependence. Studies are being conducted to determine how cancer risk can be reduced for smokers who cannot stop. Scientists are studying the potential for detecting lung cancer at its earliest, and most curable, stages.

11. Tobacco & Cancer Hope For The Future Implementing policies that establish smoke- free environments is the most effective approach to prevent exposure and harm from secondhand smoke. Presently in the US, more than 2,650 municipalities have passed smoke-free legislation and 28 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have implemented or enacted statewide smoking bans.

12. Tobacco & Cancer The Bottom Line Stopping tobacco use, or not starting, is the single most important action that can be taken to reduce cancer in the United States. If all adults stopped tobacco use and children did not start:  Nearly one-third of all cancer deaths would be prevented.  Billions of dollars would be saved.  Millions of family members and friends would avoid the sickness and premature death of a loved one.

13. Tobacco & Cancer Contact The American Cancer Society American Cancer Society programs and services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. To reach us:  Visit the American Cancer Society web site at www.cancer.org. www.cancer.org  Call toll-free, 1–800–ACS–2345.

14. Tobacco & Cancer Additional Resources National Cancer Institute Cancer Information Service Telephone: 1–800–4–CANCER (toll free) Internet: www.nci.nih.govwww.nci.nih.gov Alliance for Lung Cancer Advocacy, Support & Education (ALCASE) Telephone: 1–800–298–2436 (toll free) or 360–699–1944 Internet: www.alcase.orgwww.alcase.org American Lung Association Telephone: 1–800–586–4872 (toll free) or 212–315–8700 Internet: www.lungusa.orgwww.lungusa.org

15. Tobacco & Cancer Additional Resources American Heart Association Telephone: 1–800–AHA-USA1 (toll free) Internet: www.americanheart.orgwww.americanheart.org Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids Telephone: 202–296–5469 Internet: www.tobaccofreekids.orgwww.tobaccofreekids.org Center for Tobacco Cessation Telephone: 1-202-585-3200