To add on to the worries of smokers developing cancer in the lung, pharynx, larynx, esophagus and other respiratory areas, there is the possibility of having alterations in their DNA as well. Studies have shown that when you smoke tobacco, you are at risk of getting tumors on your colon and MSI. MSI, or microsatellite instability, is when your genes are damaged; it also blocks the cells from being able to repair the DNA that were damaged, which can lead to cancer growths to proceed without interruption.

Who’s at Risk for DNA Damage Due to Smoking?

People who began smoking at an early age are especially at risk for MSI. Studies have shown that people who have stopped smoking for 15 years had a reduction in their chances of getting MSI, which shows to prove that quitting smoking is the best option for your health. People who have developed MSI are said to be twice as likely to be diagnosed with colon cancer (even more so with those who have inherited flaws in their genes). Only about 2-5% of colon cancer cases involve inherited genetic malfunctions, while 15% of colon cancer tumor cases involve MSI.

Older women who smoke are also at great risk of getting colorectal cancers due to damaged DNA. When your DNA is damaged, it is unable to help your body fight against harmful tumor growths that later develop into cancer. Without the DNA repair proteins, the body is left defenseless.

How Many Tumors are Linked to Smoking?

With research studies conducted, it is known that continuous smoking habits can cause inheritance of flawed genes that can later promote tumor growths. Most of the studies support the idea of tobacco being strongly linked with cancers that involve MSI. A projection was given that 21% of MSI colon tumors are caused by smoking cigarettes.

Recent studies have also shown that other lifestyle choices can too have an impact on the development of MSI. Smokers who consume fried foods and red meats are at even higher risk of developing it and colon cancer (increased 3-fold). Those who smoked tobacco and consumed red meat cooked very well-done were increased 2-fold.

Creative Commons License photo credit: tosaytheleast

Tags: cancer, cigarette, damage, dna, genetic damage, smoking, smoking hazards, tumors

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