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“
Post-menopausal
female smokers develop Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD or
emphysema) faster than men, says a new research review. Both
in Australia and internationally, COPD is the only major cause of
death and disability that is increasing. It’s estimated to affect
about 5% of older Australians and virtually all caused by tobacco
smoking. Based
in current trends, COPD is expected to rise faster among women in the
western world in the next decade. The
review, just published in Respiratory Research,* analysed long-term
worldwide studies measuring lung capacity of different population
groups – and found that as female smokers age, their lung function
declines faster than men who smoke the same amount. Commenting
on the review, thoracic physician and ASH Australia Chairman Professor
Matthew Peters said: “This
is a very powerful analysis of very clear data from a number of
studies around the world. Smoking, in women over age 40, causes much
more damage even than it does in male smokers. The basis for the
sensitivity of women’s lungs to smoking-related COPD is not clear
but the message is simple. This is an avoidable risk. Quitting at age
40 will also eliminate 90% of the lifetime lung cancer risk compared
to women who go on smoking. “Unless
more is done to highlight this and reduce smoking among this group, we
face a health system blowout in dealing with emphysema. It demands a
fresh approach to reducing smoking rates as a matter of urgency. *
Wen Q Gan et al, “Post menopausal female smokers are at increased
risk of COPD…” (March 29, 2006) Comment:
Prof
Matthew Peters, Concord Hospital
m. 0407-499-440 Media
info:
Stafford Sanders, ASH Australia
ph. (02) 9334-1823; m.
0412-070-194
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Page last updated 3/4/06 |
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