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."
Judge not lest ye be judged.
Good grief, man. Compared with being shot, smoking is a candy-assed risk. Why don't you hoof it down to the local VFW and start your campaign there to get veterans to quit smoking. I'll sure they'll welcome you with open arms. While you're on the way there, think about the sacrifices these and other men made so that you and I would have the right to lead our lives as we see fit.
128 posted on 06/02/2004 10:37:02 AM PDT by Liberal Classic
There was a report not that long ago that nearly everyone is born with a form of emphysema....it just manifests itself into a full blown case in some people.........and by no stretch of the imagination are the most in smokers.
I answered yours, now answer mine.
I have to agree with that post.
Compared to being shot, smoking IS a candy-a**ed risk. ;-D
You don't?
Aren't you glad the Founding Fathers didn't?
you smoke, right?
No, I do not. However, I do cherish liberty and I can recognize tyranny.
With a special mention for wholesale condemnation of the lives of great numbers of people you've never met.
I recently lost a cousin to ALS (Lou Gehrig's Disease). His wife and daughter-in-law cared lovingly for him for four long years, as his health steadily declined. Anyone who's had experience with this knows what a terrible toll it takes not only on the afflicted, but also on the caretakers.
Their work was the most Godly I've ever witnessed.
And they both smoke.
You and your kind are the smallest of people by comparison to these two smokers, with your depersonalization and demonizing.
I'd pity you if you were worth it.
Hey! Now you're demanding answers and you never bothered answering MY question, which was a SMOKING RELATED HEALTH QUESTION!
Based on that alone, nobody has to do anything you say. Neener neener (There, was that more on your level?)
Propaganda from a website that is seeking to make money off of attempting to quit smoking is supposed to induce what kind of trust in the readers??????
I know.
I want clarity of your question, forgive my stupidity.
You will have to be more specific.
Are my questions not clear? Are the uncomfortable? In my reading they are on point and clarify exactly what you mean by you question so that I can answer it honestly and clearly.
Huh?
Kerry does not get special position in the debate of ideas simply because he is a vet. Period.
No one made that comparison.
Do you have Alzheimer's? I've heard nicotine is being used as a successful treatment for the early stages...
If you're having THIS much trouble remembering posts, then I think you need a break. Incidently, STATISTICALLY speaking, smoking improves short term memory. That's what led to the EMPIRICAL Alzheimer's studies...
How is that any of your business?
Thank you.
Doofus! I lifted that from a post you made, quoting another poster.
You've lost it, right, and you're just too embarrassed and ashamed to admit it....that's okay....telling other people how to post, and what topic to post on, and demanding other people behave according to your dictates is tiring work, I'm sure.
Try it again in English or in whatever your native language is. Your response is reminiscent of:
Do you think God wants you to continually fill the lungs he gave with smoke ? Do you think God wants you to continually have oxygen starved red blood cells ? Do you think God wants you to be so addicted to substances your mind is constantly thinking about the next cigarette ?
Or do you think God wants you to be able to enjoy clear lungs, clear air and be able to enjoy fully all the beautiful scents in his creation ? That God maybe wants you to fill your mind with thoughts of what his will is rather than with having the next cigarette ?
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