Which One Best Explains How Cigarettes Cause Lung Cancer?
August 23, 2023 | by Yashaswi Pathakamuri | Posted in FAQ's
Cigarettes cause lung cancer primarily through the inhalation of harmful substances found in tobacco smoke. When tobacco is burned, it produces a complex mixture of chemicals, many of which are known to be carcinogenic (cancer-causing). The following steps help explain how cigarettes cause lung cancer:
- Inhalation: When a person smokes a cigarette, they inhale the smoke, which contains a wide range of toxic compounds, including carcinogens like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), benzene, formaldehyde, and others.
- Direct Damage: These harmful substances directly come into contact with the cells lining the respiratory tract, including the cells lining the bronchi and alveoli in the lungs.
- DNA Damage: Carcinogens in the smoke can cause damage to the DNA within these cells. DNA damage can disrupt the normal control mechanisms that regulate cell growth and division, potentially leading to uncontrolled cell growth—the hallmark of cancer.
- Mutation Accumulation: Over time, repeated exposure to cigarette smoke increases the likelihood of DNA mutations accumulating within lung cells. These mutations can lead to the development of cancerous cells that grow and divide uncontrollably.
- Tumor Formation: As these mutated cells continue to grow and divide, they can form tumors within the lungs. These tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous).
- Metastasis: Malignant tumors have the potential to invade nearby tissues and even spread to other parts of the body through the bloodstream or lymphatic system—a process known as metastasis.
- Disrupted Lung Function: As tumors grow and spread within the lungs, they can impair the normal functioning of lung tissue. This can lead to symptoms such as chronic cough, difficulty breathing, and chest pain.
It’s important to note that smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths worldwide and is a major risk factor for various types of cancer, not just lung cancer. Quitting smoking greatly reduces the risk of developing lung cancer and other smoking-related diseases. Additionally, exposure to secondhand smoke (inhalation of smoke from other people’s cigarettes) can also increase the risk of lung cancer and other health problems.