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."
Can't mix threads ya know, then the hypocracy would be out in plain view. It's hard to keep consistent when you have no true convictions, except to control others.....
My neighbor's 10 year old daughter argues with the same style.
"So does every other Vietnam veteran."
Besides making no sense, the only conclusion that can be taken from your statement is that you think all Vietnam Vets are antifreedom. Is that what your saying?
Please. I made no attempt to control others. I was responding only to posts made to me that were off-topic.
The only conclusion that can be taken from your post is that you put no value on 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.
All it'll take is a 3 mile run to give you the proof that sucking butts is the antithesis of health.
Now THAT gives me a good reason to hang around: to see how many REALLY stupid posts you'll make.
I have no concern that you will try to control my posts. As IF you could. And I hardly think that the question is off-topic. Would you take a statistical vote that my question is NOT off-topic? Do you want everyone to tell you what is crystal clear to everyone except you?
I'm saying that until you answer that question, you're a hypocrite. You can tell me it's off-topic until you're blue in the face, but that doesn't make it true. It makes YOU a phony. If you're that phony about a little anonymous internet question about smoking, then how can we believe you are honest about your medals? I tend to believe you're a pure-D phony.
She also does not want to respond in kind when personally attacked. She shows a lot of maturity.
When you hear of an old person that smokes it is because it is rare. That's why it makes the news.
Genetics do play by far the largest role in health but certainly you would admit that the average smoker has a shorter lifespan and is much more likely to suffer diseases of the lung as well as higher incidences of many other diseases.
If I can't run three miles I'm not healthy?
Ridiculous!
Nope. Given the choice between giving up cigs or sex they'd give up sex, as long as they remain addicted.
No more than my NDSM. If I were trying to establish credibility I wouldn't post a picture of that medal. I would pick one that was actually awarded, not handed out to EVERYONE.
Now, is the conclusion I draw from your post correct? Are you taking the stance that all Vietnam Vets are antifreedom?
Whatever.
LOL - that has to be the most ironic thing I have read in awhile. LOL!
Why would you enter a restaurant that you find offensive. If you find it offensive, you have the right to not enter and be exposed to the hazard of your own sissified nose.
Ridiculous!
How 'bout walking a mile? Can ya catch a Camel?
I'm fifty six. I walked 20 miles in 5 hours with a 34 pound pack on a hot June day. I mow my hilly acre every week with a cheap gas mower, I work 12 hour shifts ON MY FEET with no break (and no smoking) 3-4 times a week. I have no problem not smoking, I have no problem smoking.
Incidently, I have arthritis. Do you suppose it's smoking-related?
Like those who scream "junk science" when even they know the truth?
Everyone? You have yours?
Every thread that, like this one, contains assertions of power to limit what I do in private with other consenting adults, is a thread about liberty.
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