Posted on 06/02/2004 4:43:14 AM PDT by Colosis
LONDON (Reuters) - Smoking destroys protective molecules in saliva and transforms it into a dangerous cocktail of chemicals that increases the risk of mouth cancer, scientists say.
"Cigarette smoke is not only damaging on its own, it can turn the body against itself," said Dr Rafi Nagler, of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel.
Saliva contains antioxidants, molecules that normally protect the body against cancer, but Nagler and his colleagues have discovered that cigarette smoke destroys the molecules and turns saliva into a dangerous compound.
"Our study shows that once exposed to cigarette smoke, our normally healthy saliva not only loses its beneficial qualities but it turns traitor and actually aids in destroying the cells of the mouth and oral cavity," he added.
In research reported in the British Journal of Cancer on Wednesday, Nagler and his team studied the impact of cigarette smoke on cancerous cells in the laboratory.
Half of the cells were exposed to saliva exposed to cigarette smoke and the other half just to the smoke. Cells exposed to the saliva mixture had more damage and it increased along with the time of exposure.
"Most people will find it very shocking that the mixture of saliva and smoke is actually more lethal to cells in the mouth than cigarette smoke alone," Nagler added in a statement.
Smoking and drinking are the leading causes of head and neck or oral cancers, which includes cancer of the lip, mouth, tongue, gums, larynx and pharynx. Nearly 400,000 new cases of the illness are diagnosed worldwide each year with the majority in developing countries. The five-year survival rates are less than 50 percent.
Nagler and his colleagues believe the research could open up new avenues to develop better treatments to prevent oral cancer.
"This insight into how mouth cancer can develop offers more reasons for smokers to try and quit," said Jean King, of Cancer Research UK, which publishes the journal. "People know the link with lung cancer and this research adds compelling evidence about the damage smoking can do to the mouth."
You can't answer the question, because it would show you for the hypocrite you are.
"You and CSM are 0 for three today."
When?
You raise a good point, namely, what is the topic here? For some, it is a narrowly focused discussion about smoking. For others, the topic is liberty itself. From what I've read of your posts, it doesn't surprise me that you've appointed yourself the "topic cop", you seem to have a need to control others.
All inorganic material suffers the same fate.
My guess is that cancer is a breakdown in programming and happens mainly due to a defect early in life or a simple aging process whereby the cells get a bit senile and forget exactly what they are supposed to be doing.
We ignore the lessons of the Inuit.
Actually it just smells smoke behind every closed door.
When you took that cheap shot at me not realizing my veteran status.
Read the title. It says nothing about freedom or obesity.
Fine, you're a veteran. Poor baby, you had to take a cheap shot. For that alone, on this thread, you deserve a medal.
Somebody get this poor vet, wounded by a cheap shot, a medal.
No other vets ever had to endure such terrible treatment.
And you've never ever taken a cheap shot at another poster either.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHA
And you still won't answer the question, because it would show you up for the hypocrite you are.
What cheap shot? The one putting you in the JFnK camp. Honestly I don't believe your statements regarding your veteran status. If I posted any of my medals I wouldn't post the one awarded to everyone.
What about our FREEDOM TO ENGAGE IN A LEGAL ACTIVITY IN A PLACE OF BUSINESS THAT ALLOWS IT AND A TIME OF OUR CHOOSING WITHOUT BEING TAXED TO DEATH!!!????
Sorry to shout, but you seem to have trouble hearing questions.
If you posted your medals ... Please do!
Your post is below. It shows that you have smeared, not me, but the VSM.
BTW, a Naval Vietnam Service Medal.......I heard even JFnK has one of those and he wasn't all that committed to freedom either.
This is junk science, if the science was sound there would be no difference between third world and first world smokers.
This is key as it demands that other factors be in place before cancers can form.
That was the other thread. This one is about health risks.
So which is it, a cheap shot at you or smearing the medal? Keep twisting, but pointing out that you have two things in common with JFnK (the medal and antifreedom attitude) is not a cheap shot. If you don't like the view in the mirror, quit looking!
Whatever.
Whatever.
Sheesh! Now you're the thread police. Show me your badge, post it along with your medals, you jack-booted (figuratively, and in jest of course) thug.
So does every other Vietnam veteran.
Please. I am just saying why I will not respond to your off-topic questions. I am not trying to control your posts.
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