New
research shows women smokers are at greater risk of developing
bladder cancer than male smokers.
The study also confirmed that cigarette smokers were
two-and-a-half times more likely to develop bladder cancer than
people who had never smoked.
More alarming was the finding that where smoking rates were
comparable, women incurred a higher risk of developing bladder
cancer than male smokers. Use of low tar or filtered cigarettes
did not modify the risk.
The population based study involved 1,514 patients with
bladder cancer and a similar number of control subjects was
carried out by researchers at the National Cancer Institute in
Los Angeles, California.
"This research provides further evidence linking smoking to
bladder cancer," said ASH Chief Executive Anne Jones.
In Australia, smoking causes 30 per cent of bladder cancer in
males and 21 per cent in women. (National Cancer Prevention
Policy 2001-03, Cancer Council Australia, March 2001)
"We need more creative media
campaigns about the full effects of smoking, like the Western
Australian campaign 'Smoking causes cancer, in a lot of
places . . . including the butt,' said Ms Jones.
"Smoking doesn't just cause lung cancer and heart disease -
it can cause cancer in at least 14 different parts of the
body".
'We urge smokers to act now and
seek quitting advice by either calling the national quit line on
13 1848 or asking the local pharmacist or general practitioner
for cessation aids," added Anne Jones.
For further comment contact:
Anne Jones, ASH ph. (02) 9334.1876
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