Higher than normal levels of lead in the blood may signal a risk two times higher than average of developing renal cell carcinoma in smokers, according to medical researchers. "Past studies (in cadavers) have shown that, compared with kidneys from individuals without cancer, kidneys from individuals with cancer have higher lead levels," said Emily B. Southard, medical student at Penn State College of Medicine. "But prior to this study, the identification of higher lead in blood as a risk factor among healthy individuals before they develop kidney cancer had not been shown." Southard, working with Robin Taylor Wilson, associate professor of public health sciences at the College of Medicine, analyzed data collected from the Alpha-Tocopherol, Beta-Carotene (ATBC) Cancer Prevention Study to measure levels of blood lead, calcium and vitamin D in stored blood donated by healthy individuals several years before renal cell carcinoma ever developed. (more)
This is the 36th year for the American Cancer Society's Great American Smokeout - the day for focusing the nation on the importance of quitting smoking. Here's a refresher on why smoking is such a bad idea. (more)
Everyone knows that smoking is harmful to your health. However, smoke exposure (secondhand smoke) also can be harmful. Cigarette smoke has more than 4,000 chemicals in it, and more than 50 of these chemicals are known to cause cancer. Children are at greater risk from these exposures than adults because they breathe more frequently than adults and their bodies are still developing. (more)
While electronic cigarettes may be a long-term alternative to the real thing for some smokers, Penn State College of Medicine researchers suggest medical providers should continue to encourage more traditional smoking cessation methods. The researchers investigated this growing phenomenon through a survey of 104 long-term e-cigarette users. (more)
Two new studies from Penn State College of Medicine have found that smokers who tend to take their first cigarette soon after they wake up in the morning may have a higher risk of developing lung and head and neck cancers than smokers who refrain from lighting up right away. The results were published early online in CANCER, a peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society. Joshua Muscat, professor of public health sciences, and his colleagues investigated whether nicotine dependence as characterized by the time to first cigarette after waking affects smokers' risk of lung and head and neck cancers independent of cigarette smoking frequency and duration. (more)
Penn State Hershey Medical Group -- Fishburn Road has been recognized by the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP) for successfully completing a Tobacco Cessation Office Champions pilot project. The practice implemented a series of system changes to integrate tobacco cessation activities into daily office routines and create a culture that encourages patients to quit smoking. (more)
Menthol cigarettes may be harder to quit, particularly for some teens and African-Americans, who have the highest menthol cigarette use, according to a study by a team of researchers. Recent studies have consistently found that racial/ethnic minority smokers of menthol cigarettes have a lower quit rate than comparable smokers of regular cigarettes, particularly among younger smokers. (more)
According to the Center for Disease Control, 21.4 percent of people aged 18 to 24 years smoke tobacco. Today everyone knows smoking is an unhealthy habit, so why do people still smoke? Penn State experts say several factors play a part.
Suzanne Zeman, coordinator of educational services at University Health Services, said people smoke for a variety of reasons. Some grew up in a family of smokers, others thought they were just social smokers but became addicted and still others became hooked after their first few smokes. According to Michael Hecht, distinguished professor of communication arts and sciences and crime, law and justice, tobacco use is higher in rural areas, where users begin at a young age. (more)
You already know smoking is bad, and that it contributes to heart disease, strokes, lung and other cancers and can lead to poor healing, chronic lung disease, wrinkled skin, erectile dysfunction, and it worsens asthma. Children exposed to second hand smoke have more ear infections and more asthma attacks. Pregnant women who smoke have smaller, less healthy children with a greater risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Since you already know that, let's focus on quitting. (more)
