DNA Mutation Research Reveals Why Most Smokers Never Get Lung Cancer

Scitechdaily ^ | 4.12.2022 | Albert Einstein college of medicine

[equaviator]

"Cigarette smoking is overwhelmingly the main cause of lung cancer, yet only a minority of smokers develop the disease."

This makes perfect sense. It says that of all the known causes of lung cancer, cigarette smoking is the leading cause. However, most cigarette smokers do not develop lung cancer.

In hypothetical terms, there may be 10 different known causes but nine of those ten may be at 5% each or 45%, which leaves the tenth at 55%. The "55%" of smokers who develop lung cancer represents the smaller percentage (a minority) of the total number of cigarette smokers because the study is based on a subset of cigarette smokers. The total number of cigarette smokers is not a factor but the subset is.

[aquila48]

“Being afraid of smoking is like being afraid to ride in a car without a seat belt. Sure, you “might” die. But statistically you almost certainly will not.”

So why not reduce your odds of dying even further by not smoking and wearing a seat belt?

It’s not like smoking and not wearing seat belts are necessities.

[PeterPrinciple]

I only smoke a little now, maybe 3 or 4 ‘sticks’ a day.

I Pity the poor soul who doesn’t have a bad habit to give up if they have a health problem.

paraphrase of Mark Twain.

I have been thinking lately I need a new bad habit, like finding my pipe and tobacco.

[cuban leaf]

So why not reduce your odds of dying even further by not smoking and wearing a seat belt?

It’s not like smoking and not wearing seat belts are necessities.

---

Though I agree in principle, the same can be said of alcohol, meat, salami, motorcycling, skiing, et al.

As Warren Zevon sez, “Life will kill you.”

[Honest Nigerian]

You started smoking when you were 5?
And you are 87 now?
Or did you give us some phony numbers to see who is paying attention?

[aquila48]

“As Warren Zevon sez, “Life will kill you.””

But some activities will kill you sooner than others.

But to each his own, as long as I don’t have to pay for it... which they’re making it harder and harder to do.

[cuban leaf]

That’s why I’m not an ice climber. :)

[Yardstick]

Yep, the anti-smoking campaigns should have focused on how it affects your looks, not your health. IMO they would have been more effective.

[muir_redwoods]

It makes perfect sense. What it says is lung cancer is rare but the leading cause of it is smoking.

[knarf]

You're a good, word twisting democrat, Who slept through English grammar.

if

conjunction

In case that; granting, allowing, or supposing that; --

introducing a condition or supposition.Whether; --

in dependent questions.

[upchuck]

Started around 1957. Quit in 1999. A smoker for around 42 years. I misfigured in the original comment. Thanks for noticing.