According to new
research - people who smoke within five minutes of waking up
are more at risk from the harmful effects of tobacco compared to those who
waited for at least one hour.
Apparently people who reach for a morning cigarette are doubling their risk of developing lung and mouth cancer.
The time it takes for a person to light
up is also an indicator of their addiction to smoking.
Tobacco use is still the biggest
cause of mouth cancer, up to half of all smokers eventually dying of a
tobacco-related illness, this research presents a clear warning to morning
smokers.
Given that mouth cancer is one of
the few cancers predicted to rise over the next decade, Dr Nigel Carter
OBE, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, hopes smokers
will take notice of the warning. Dr Carter said:
"Mouth cancer is a very real
problem in the UK, latest figures show that it claims more lives than road
traffic accidents do, and of more concern is that the disease is on the rise,
indulging in a poor diet and the emergence of HPV (the Human
papillomavirus) transmitted via oral sex, are further lifestyle behaviours that
are known risk factors for mouth cancer. The changing demographics of mouth cancer sufferers mean more people than ever before need to be aware of what
these risk factors are”.
This study presented in the journal
Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers and Prevention, included 1,945 participants
from the 2007/2008 and 2009/2010 National Health and Nutrition and Examination
Survey.
- red and white patches in your mouth
- mouth ulcers which do not heal within three weeks
- unusual lumps or swellings in your mouth
If in doubt, get checked out
Call now
on 01908 230 209
