Research

Cigarette company paid for lung cancer study
An  exposé by the New York Times shocked readers with the accusation that a widely-read 2006 research article with implications on lung cancer was deceptively funded by a foundation financially backed by Liggett Group, a cigarette company. The 2006 study from Weill Cornell Medical College found that 80% of lung cancer deaths could be prevented by detection with CT scans, a finding that could potentially save lives—and change the severity of smoking and lung cancer.  The New England Journal of Medicine published a clarification calling for more transparency in researchers’ financial disclosure, yet study author Dr. Claudia Henschke claims innocence, explaining that the alleged financial conflict of interest was not originally disclosed because it was considered irrelevant. Click here to read more. Click here for an article covering the study’s financial disclosure correction in the New England Journal of Medicine.

Smoking after heart attack lifts risk of second
Young smokers who continue to smoke after a heart attack put themselves at a drastically higher risk of another heart attack and other complications, according to recent research.  The study followed heart attack survivors aged 35 and younger for ten years, and found many patients continued to smoke after their heart attack. Fifty percent of the patients in the study continued to smoke after their first heart attack, and of those who continued smoking, 50% had another heart attack.  Only 18% of those who quit smoking had a second heart attack. Click here to learn more.

Lung cancer genes identified
Many people have wondered why some smokers get lung cancer, while other heavy smokers somehow live long, healthy lives.  Discoveries from three research teams from the U.S., Europe, and Iceland have linked specific genes to cancer susceptibility.  Thirty four percent of the population possesses genes on chromosome 15 that have the potential to create optimal conditions for tumor growth.  The research team in Iceland found that smokers with certain gene variants may also experience stronger nicotine addiction, leading them to smoke more.  The other two studies focused on determining lung cancer risk based on smoking.  The results showed that both genetic factors and smoking increase lung cancer risk, and that genes and smoking may work together to increase one’s risk. For more information, click here.

Mouth may tell the tale of lung damage caused by smoking
A noninvasive examination of cells from the inside of a person’s mouth may give doctors an accurate guess at whether lung cancer has developed.  A recent study found that tumor suppressor gene expression in cells from the mouth matched gene expression the majority of patients.  The current diagnostic procedures for lung cancer, such as bronchoscopy, a procedure where doctors harvest cells from the lungs, are uncomfortable and invasive.  According to one of the researchers, a less invasive procedure would save lives by allowing doctors to monitor tobacco-related cancer development more easily. Click here for a summary of the study results.

Smoking related to subset of colorectal cancers with absent DNA repair proteins
Research on older women has found a link between smoking and a certain type of colorectal tumors--those lacking DNA mismatch repair (MMR) proteins.  Normally-functioning MMR proteins suppress mutations and keep cells in the colon and rectum healthy.  According to one of the researchers, this class of tumors might be caused when smoking blocks the effect of the MMR proteins.  While smoking was not associated with colorectal tumors overall, there was a rather strong association with MMR-negative tumors; current smokers were at twice the risk to develop this type of tumor, compared to nonsmokers.  The effect was greatest among heavy smokers. Read more here.

Aging: Smoking, drinking and Alzheimer’s risk
Heavy drinking and smoking can cause earlier onset of Alzheimer’s disease, according to a recent study presented at an American Academy of Neurology conference.  The study compared past drinking and smoking habits among Alzheimer’s patients, and found that on average, those who smoked heavily developed Alzheimer’s 2.3 years sooner than nonsmokers, while patients who routinely consumed more than two drinks daily had onset five years sooner than lighter drinkers.  For those who smoked and drank, the effect was even greater. Click here to read more.

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International

Secrets of smuggled cigarettes (UK)
A new advertisement campaign is being launched in England to describe the hazards of counterfeit cigarettes.  Contraband cigarettes comprise a significant portion of the customs seizures at Birmingham International Airport.  The campaign aims to raise awareness about the health concerns of smoking contraband cigarettes, which have been found to contain higher levels of chemicals and contaminants.  In addition to health concerns, contraband cigarette production and distribution has is linked to other aspects of organized crime, such as murder and extortion. Click here to read the full article.

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