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Hormonal impact of smoking 'promises new chronic disease risk link'

Thursday 1st September 2011

Smoking may increase chronic disease risk through its affect on hormone production, new research has suggested.

Postmenopausal women who smoke have higher androgen and estrogen levels than nonsmoking women, according to research published in the Journal of Clinical and Endocrinology & Metabolism.

Researchers from the University Medical Center Utrecht in the Netherlands note that previous studies have shown a link between high levels of these hormones and risk factors for breast and endometrial cancer.

They suggest that these latest findings support the need for further examination of the link between smoking and hormonal chronic disease risk, apart from the already established toxic and carcinogenic effects of tobacco smoke.

Study lead author, Utrecht University's Judith Brand, noted: "Obviously, quitting smoking has major health benefits such as prevention of cancer, respiratory and heart diseases.

"Our research suggests that smoking cessation may have additional effects by modifying hormone-related disease risks, but this was not the subject of the present study and requires further investigation."

Earlier this month, research published by scientists at Colombia University suggested that smoking soon after waking increases the risk of developing lung, head and neck cancers.

Posted by Alex Franklin Stortford