Perceived Risks of Heart Disease and Cancer Among Cigarette Smokers
Cigarette smoking causes more preventable deaths from cancer than any other modifiable risk factor. Smokers who stop smoking increase the length of their lives substantially and reduce their risk of heart attack and cancer. However, many smokers still discount the increased risk they fact with continuing smoking. They are discounting their physician’s advice by being too optimistic that their chances of getting a life-threatening disease will be nil.
There was a survey in 1995 of a probability sample of U.S. households to analyze smokers’ perceptions of their relative risk of experiencing a myocardial infarction (heart attack) and cancer in a nationally representative survey. Doctors Ayanian (Brigham and
Women’s Hospital, Department of Medicine) and Cleary (Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass. Conducted the survey. There were 3,031 adults aged 25 through 72 years, including 737 current smokers (24.3%) that took part in this survey.
The eligible people had to fill out a subsequent written questionnaire and a telephone interview. There were 3,487 eligible people but only 3,031 participated (70%) in the survey. The people surveyed had no history of myocardial infarction (heart attack) (96.2%) or cancer (92.9%).
The participants were asked if they are a regular smoker; and if they are, what is the largest amount consumed by them ever in one day. The people with no history of heart attached (myocardial infarction) or cancer were asked, “ ‘ Do you think your risk of heart attack (or cancer) is higher, lower or about the same as other (men/women) your age?’ “
Of the 3,031 participants, 737 (24.3%) were current smokers and 868 (28.6%) were former smokers. The current smokers were younger and had a higher number of women than the former smoker group. This was the same with the men in the current smoker group, they were younger and had a higher number of men than the former smoker group.
The people who smoked in the survey were less likely to be married. They were also less likely to have graduated from high school than former smokers or non-smokers. The current smokers did not attend a regular check up with a doctor despite being in worse mental and physical health than a regular person. They also said that they had less control over their lives and less satisfaction with life than former smokers or non-smokers.
Among the current smokers, the findings concluded that less than half of them felt that they were at an increased personal risk of heart disease (29%) or cancer (40%).
In many respects men and women are quite similar in regards to smoking. There are still slightly more male smokers than female smokers (29% and 28% of all adults respectively) Two thirds of men and women would like to stop smoking and equal proportions try to stop smoking each year. New evidence indicates that men and women succeed in stopping smoking at the same rate. However, interesting patterns emerge when analyzing the reasons why men and women smoke, their motivations to stop, the process of stopping smoking and the barriers they face. It is important to understand these differences so that effective smoking cessation strategies can be developed. Most important are the different psychological and physical dependencies men and women with their smoking.
Smoking has became a major issue everywhere in the world. The effects of cigarette smoking can be really terrifying as smoking is dangerous not only to those who smoke but as well as the non-smokers. Tobacco from a cigarette contains nicotine, which is a highly addictive drug that makes it difficult for the smokers to stop smoking. (MentalHelp, 2005). They are not only physically addicted to nicotine but they also link smoking with many social activities which makes it hard to stop (American Lung Association, 2014). Smoking is a habit that causes many health implications that could lead to death (American Lung Association, 2014). Most of the smokers started smoking regularly at a young age even though there are various anti-smoking campaigns being run. (American Lung Association, 2014). Most teenagers start smoking because they are being exposed under friends and family members who smoke. They tend to be curious and say that they just wanted to try it or teenagers started smoking because they thought it was cool to do so (American Cancer Society, 2014). Quitting smoking requires seve...
Brimelow states in his article “Smoking seems also to offer subtler health rewards to balance against its undisputed risks” (Brimelow 142). A few of these include a reduced risk of diseases such as Par...
... An adequate technology to validate self-reports of smoking rates is critically needed. If reliable physiological measures of smoking rate were available, the effects of different procedures in producing abstinence and enduring reductions in smoke exposure could be objectively verified. Most successful ex-smokers quitted on their own and information is needed regarding what types of treatment they view as credible and attractive.
Smoking is a major factor for heart disease. It lowers the good cholesterol, which in turn heightens the risk of heart disease. Although smoking in this country has been on the decline in the past years, the number of women who smoke has increased. The good news is that no matter how long someone smokes the risk can be quickly reduced by quitting.
The Andrews family consists of an African American father and mother that are in their early 50s and two teenage children. This paper will focus on primary heart health for Mrs. Andrews. Mrs. Andrews has a significant risk for developing heart disease, MI, and stroke. Mrs. Andrews non-modifiable risk factors include being an African American female in her 50s. Her modifiable risk factors include stress, hypertension, being overweight, and not seeing a primary care practitioner for two years. She quit smoking three years ago which is a modifiable risk factor that she has changed prior to this visit, the goal is not to sustain the change long term. According to the American Cancer Society the risk of developing coronary heart disease (CAD) is significantly reduced after quitting for year ("when smokers quit," 2014).
Many people try to quit smoking but it still is very possible to develop lung cancer years after you quit. The risk of second hand smoke is real and women are at a higher risk to develop cancer this way. In addition, there is evidence that lung cancer in people who never smoke have a better prognosis than in those who do smoke, and that patients ...
In 2013, approximately one in every five adults in the United States were current cigarette smokers (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). To put this number into
Smoking cigarettes is a detrimental practice not only to the smoker, but also to everyone around the smoker. According to an article from the American Lung Association, “Health Effects” (n.d.), “Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., causing over 438,000 deaths per year”. The umbrella term for tobacco use includes the use of cigarettes, cigars, e-cigs and chewing tobacco. While tobacco causes adverse health consequences, it also has been a unifying factor for change in public health. While the tobacco industries targets specific populations, public health specifically targets smokers, possible smokers, and the public to influence cessation, policies and education.
Smoking causes many other types of cancer, including cancers of the throat, mouth, nasal cavity, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidney, bladder, and cervix, and even leukemia has been found linked to smoking. Also, people who smoke are up to six times more likely to suffer a heart attack than nonsmokers, and the risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked. Smoking also causes most cases of chronic obstructive lung disease. Also, approximately 49,400 deaths have been due to exposure to secondhand smoke. 3,000 nonsmoking adults die of diseases caused by exposure to second-hand smoke every year.
The risk of lung cancer among cigarette smokers increases with the duration of smoking and the number of cigarettes smoked per day. This observation has been made repeatedly in cohort and
Smoking is a simple process of inhaling and exhaling the fumes of burning tobacco, but it has deadly consequences. According to the American Cancer Society, smoking is the most preventable cause of death in America today (Encarta, 2002). Until the 1940?s, smoking was considered harmless. It was at this time that epidemiologists noticed a dramatic increase in the cases of lung cancer. A study was then conducted between smokers and nonsmokers to determine if cigarettes were the cause of this increase. This study, conducted by the American Cancer Society, found increased mortality among smokers. Yet it was not until 1964 that the Surgeon General put out a report acknowledging the danger of cigarettes. The first action to curb smoking was the mandate of a warning on cigarette packages by the Federal Trade Commission (Encarta, 2002). In 1971, all cigarette advertising was banned from radio and television, and cities and states passed laws requiring nonsmoking sections in public places and workplaces (Encarta, 2002). Now in some cities smoking is being completely banned from public places and workplaces and various people are striving for more of these laws against smoking.
Each year, more than 30,000 people die of lung cancer and 4 out of 5 of them will get it because of cigarette smoke. Studies have proven that there is no safe way to smoke. Tobacco contains many dangerous cancer-causing chemicals that affect the lungs of the smoker and the nonsmoker, so smoking just a small amount can increase your chances of getting lung cancer. The Surgeon General has said that "smoking is the single most important cause of death in our society, and it is responsible for more than one out of every five deaths in the United States." The purpose of this report is to inform and educate the reader about smoking and why it is considered the biggest cause of lung cancer. This subject is near and dear to me because my grandfather, who was once a heavy smoker, is now fighting this awful disease.
As for smokers themselves, their at higher risk to their health. Smoking causes cancers to the esophagus, lungs, voice box, throat and mouth and helps develop cancers of the bladder, pancreas, cervix and kidneys. It also causes cardiovascular disease like heart disease, stroke and diseases of the blood vessels. Lung cancer was the first cancer to be linked to smoking and is the number one cause of cancer deaths of people, world wide. Eighty to ninety percent of all lung cancer is smoking related, but lung cancer is not the only smoking related cancer, there are eight other cancers linked to smoking. There are over 16,000 cancer deaths in Canada each year, and is caused by smoking. Also smoking causes pulmonary and respiratory diseases. Over 8,000 people die each year from respiratory diseases caused by smoking. And it also causes alot of other diseases that permanently damage the lungs and airways by smokers. Other than cancer, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, smoking can cause alot of health problems like ulcers and bowel disorders (Crohn's Disease), osteoperosis (decreased bone density), thyroid disease and increased severity of rheumatoid arthritis. Smoking also causes other health problems like cataracts, menstrual disorders, sleep problems, tooth and gum damage and increased injuries.
Scientists and health officials have been arguing the detrimental effects smoking has on our health for many years. Smoking can lead to serious complications including asthma, pancreas, lung and stomach cancer due to the large number of carcinogens (cancer causing chemicals) and other various substances added to it. It is a health hazard for both smokers and non-smokers and it is especially harmful to unborn babies. Although smokers claim that it helps them to relax and release stress, the negative aspects of the habit take over the positive. As it has been stressed by the scientists and experts, there are some very severe reasons of smoking but its crucial consequences should also be taken into consideration.