[Alter Kaker]

I'm not sure I know the answer. But the link between breast cancer and tobacco use is firm. This excellent study of 116,000 women found a 32% increase in breast cancer rates among smokers. If you want links to other studies, I'd be happy to provide them.

[Dianna]

I'm not sure I know the answer. But the link between breast cancer and tobacco use is firm. This excellent study of 116,000 women found a 32% increase in breast cancer rates among smokers. If you want links to other studies, I'd be happy to provide them.

A 32% increase in risk may not be much in terms of actual risk. I got a mammogram just last week at my local hospital. There was a 3 fold poster urging women to assess their risk, using the various factors to compile a score. Smoking was not mentioned at all, obesity was.

Therefore, I must conclude that smoking is certainly a lesser risk (for breast cancer) than obesity and smoking doesn't make much difference in comparison to non-lifestyle factors like age of beginning and cessation of menses and breast cancer in family members.

[SheLion]

I'm not sure I know the answer. But the link between breast cancer and tobacco use is firm. This excellent study of 116,000 women found a 32% increase in breast cancer rates among smokers. If you want links to other studies, I'd be happy to provide them.

I just did! Check out my post #159! 

RESEARCHERS BLAST CALIFORNIA EPA REPORT: SECONDHAND SMOKE FINDINGS BIASED, FLAWED

01/30/2006-The American Cancer Society stated unequivocally, in a written comment,  that it did not agree with Cal-EPA's conclusion that secondhand smoke was a cause of breast cancer, and that published evidence did not support the requisite criteria for causation.

I'm not sure I know the answer. But the link between breast cancer and tobacco use is firm. This excellent study of 116,000 women found a 32% increase in breast cancer rates among smokers. If you want links to other studies, I'd be happy to provide them.

I just did! Check out my post #159! 

RESEARCHERS BLAST CALIFORNIA EPA REPORT: SECONDHAND SMOKE FINDINGS BIASED, FLAWED

01/30/2006-The American Cancer Society stated unequivocally, in a written comment,  that it did not agree with Cal-EPA's conclusion that secondhand smoke was a cause of breast cancer, and that published evidence did not support the requisite criteria for causation.

[Gabz]

....study of 116,000 women found a 32% increase in breast cancer rates among smokers.

A 32% increase is statistically insignificant. To achieve statistical significance the % increase must be between 200% and 300%.

Let me ask you a question: Which would you find more scary: exposure/consumption to a substance that has a 19% increase of risk for a disease or a 65% increase for the same disease?????

Please remember my original statement about statistical significance.