Carcinogenic “Hot Spots”
Carcinogenic properties of tobacco attributable largely to benzopirenom, a substance contained in tobacco tar. Found in tobacco and many other compounds, some of which have more or less pronounced toxic effect, others – carcinogenic. For example, researchers from Germany found in tobacco smoke, chemicals, officials for the extermination of insect pests. They also note that the smoker swallows with tobacco smoke is very toxic metals – cadmium, which can last several years stay in the kidneys. In the tobacco had been found and nitrates. The danger of them is that in the process of smoking they react to form a carcinogenic substance – nitrosamines.
In addition, the tobacco had been discovered radioactive elements (mainly radioactive Polonium – Po 210), When smoking it is sublimated and falls in tobacco smoke, and then – in light smoker. In some areas of light suspended high number of tobacco tar, and radioactive polonium, forming potentially carcinogenic “hot spots”. By the way, is the assumption that nicotine stimulates the oncogenic effect of tar in tobacco smoke.
The achievements of modern oncology considerable, cancer mortality has declined substantially, but the percentage of cancers, particularly lung cancer, continues to grow. For example, if before the disease occurred among women up to 6 times less frequently than men, it is now lung cancer is often seen among women. Cancer researchers connect this fact with the increase in the prevalence of smoking among women, and claim that stopping smoking would reduce lung cancer mortality by 40%, ie, more than any other event.
Modern experts believe that people stop smoking gradually disappear precancerous changes in the lungs, and after 3-5 years the risk of developing lung cancer is significantly reduced. However, British scientists are more reserved in this matter. They argue that even after 15 years, after smoking stopped, the number of victims of lung cancer decreases only by half. These data should serve as a warning to smokers. The sooner they leave their addiction, the better. Other way out here can not be, but some fans tobacco potions hoping for so-called safer cigarettes with lower tar and nicotine. Yes, indeed, their use has allowed to a certain extent reduce the incidence of lung cancer, but other harmful effects of smoking with evident, not least, in addition, not all of these cigarettes were less hazardous. Some smokers to get their usual dose of nicotine, smoke more cigarettes such, and in the end it turns out that the dose received by carcinogens even higher.
Significantly decreased in smokers and resistance to infectious lung disease. Thus, pulmonary tuberculosis in smokers there is 2 times more likely than non-smokers.
Are diverse harmful effects of smoking on the respiratory system. First it weakened in a functional sense, then come and pathological structural changes.
Summarizing the above, we can conclude: tobacco smoking reduces the functional capacity of the respiratory system and causes a number of diseases, the outcome of which may be a disability, and death.