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."
Compared to being shot, smoking IS a candy-a**ed risk. ;-D
No one made that comparison. (This is YOUR remark, cinFLA)
354 posted on 06/02/2004 2:22:54 PM PDT by cinFLA [ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 346 | View Replies | Report Abuse ]
You're really out of it. Admit it. You lost. You can't argue. You have a poor memory. You are outclassed.
A troll. Fits MY definition.
Fair enough. I was concerned you were preparing to demand that others behave in the same enlightened fashion as do you. I'm happy to share a thread with a defender of liberty.
Please take you personal attacks off this thread.
I am willing to defend your right to control your private property, as you are ours.
But please free to push the Abuse button, your usual tactic.
Please. Compared to smoking 2 packs a day, drinking a cup of morning java is a candy- risk.
Your first post on this thread was to me and was about another off- topic thread. Please.
Most of what I see called "junk science" is the nonsense surrounding second-hand smoke. Are you saying you don't believe the anti-smoking crowd is manipulating public opinion with assertions so they can regulate behavior they disapprove of? Second-hand smoke has not been proven to be a cause of cancer. Simple as that. That anti-liberty forces propagandize the issue is simply their modus operandi.
And you call me dense.
Actually, I didn't call you anything, I asked a question. You seemed to be siding with those here who oppose liberty. My mistake.
I'm currently in the middle of writing a piece about the Michigan Governor.......It's titled "Booze and Butts for the Kids."
I have been asked (actually demanded) to not post to one of the regularly appearing nicognatzies here on FR who loves to make blatantly false statements and refuse to provide proof of the assertations.
Shouldn't obesity be classified as LACK of activity? :-)
No, that wasn't the spirit knocking. That was you, self-righteously asking me whether I cared more about God or cigarettes, after having made the riDICulous statement that cigarettes have replaced God to smokers.
Take responsibility for your OWN words, and quit equating them with the holy spirit's promptings. You're quite the whited sepulchur, aren't you?
Freedom lovers love to breathe smoke-free air. For decades smokers violated my right to smoke-free air.
Too bad, Gabz. I think I'll impose that rule on myself, and stay off the smoke threads. Some of these posters....tsk tsk...
Goodbye, all. I'm going elsewhere.
Oh boy... I didn't even read my own post. You get one free elbow to my ribs... :)
We probably have a lot to agree about here. My concern is with those that want to regulate smoking in restaurants and other private areas. Smoking in public areas? Have at it. Smokers don't own them, the public does.
I'd get my mouth declared a super fund site but nothing in my tobacco contaminated mouth starts to compare to the bovine refuse that comes out of the mouths of liberals.
Sounds pretty judgemental to me.
Maybe I'm biased, huh?
Smokers put their cigarettes ahead of virtually everything. They put them ahead of their health, they put them ahead of their savings, they put them ahead of the effects on their own children. Yes, smokers definately place smoking ahead of God.
Describing reality isn't judging. Its reporting.
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