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."
So you are in favor of government mandated showers so your delicate olfactory senses are not offended?
No. I'm in favor of banning the malodorous (In the same fashion as noise ordinances).
Whether they take a shower or not (or quit the noxious weed) is up to them.
Years ago in high school we discovered that kissing a girl that smoked was like licking a used ashtray.
In other words you want the government to dictate the behavior of others for your convenience.
How nice.
It is well documented that smokers are in 'denial' about the hazards of smoking.
It is well documented that you are in 'denial' as to the threat of governmental powers becoming to intrusive on private property.
What's your point?
We do that ALL THE TIME!
Speed limits, anti-SPAM laws, (once again)... noise ordinances, public drinking... etc.
Where do you get off thinking YOU have the right to stink up everyone else?
That's the question!
I get off thinking that it should be up to the owner of the property to allow, or disallow, a legal activity.
Where do YOU get off thinking you have the RIGHT to make the rules for a private property owner using junk science as a basis?
So... you'd be in favor of allowing businesses to allow "Blacks Only" (or of course, the more likely)?
Truth hurts, eh?
Yes I would be in favor of a business owner allowing those they chose to enter, or not enter, their place of business. That would be freedom of association.
I wouldn't do business with that owner but I think they should be allowed to do it.
Being offended by particular scents is a purely personal and subjective issue.
Where do YOU get off thinking YOU have the right to determine what "stinks" to others?
That is the question.
If all you have are personal insults, contrary to posting guidelines, please do not post to me.
And thankfully, it is getting so I no longer have to.
My beautiful mother was in denial for 61 years, she is having her right lung and lymph nodes removed next week.
Cancer.
I remember an old Saturday Live routine, where the newscaster, Chevy Chase, reported that saliva has been found to cause cancer, but only when swallowed in small amounts over a long period of time.
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