For women, the attraction of smoking may be the perception of equality. Over the past 50 years smoking has been marketed toward women.
About 19 percent of U.S. women smoke compared to 23 percent of men.
But women who choose to smoke must also face the health risks. Many smoking women have died and, unfortunately, many will continue to do so.
Since 1950, lung cancer death rates in U.S. women have increased 600 percent. And as of 1987, lung cancer has become the leading cause of cancer deaths in U.S. women.
The cancer now kills more than 72,000 women annually – more than the combined deaths from the two next-most-common cancer killers, tumors of the breast and colon.
Occasionally, nonsmoking women die from lung cancer. Such was the case of the recently deceased celebrity Dana Reeve, widow of actor Christopher Reeve. Factors that may contribute to cancer in these situations include family history, secondhand smoke exposure, environmental toxins and air pollution. But nearly nine out of 10 times, lung cancer occurs because at some point a woman smoked.
Currently, we’re at a crossroads. In terms of tobacco use and effects, women have nearly achieved gender equality with men. And at this juncture, I think it’s essential for all women to take a hard look at the costs.
Besides lung cancer, a multitude of health problems threaten women who smoke. Research shows that females are more susceptible than males to a number of smoking-related illnesses.
Cancer: Women smokers have an increased risk of developing cancer of the cervix. Scientists have linked smoking to cancers of the mouth, throat, voice box, breast, pancreas, stomach, esophagus, bladder and kidney.
At any given age and smoking amount, women have a higher risk for lung cancer than men, according to a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association. This might result from gender differences in hormones and metabolism, the researchers say.
Cardiovascular disease: Smoking is linked to a higher risk for coronary heart disease, heart attacks, strokes and hardening of the arteries.
Chronic lung disease: Death rates from chronic bronchitis and emphysema have increased among women in the past 30 years. More than 90 percent of these deaths are attributable to smoking.
Pregnancy effects: Smoking reduces fertility and the chances of conception. Stillbirths, newborn deaths, and sudden infant death syndrome occur more often in the children of mothers who smoke. Infants of smokers more often are born small for age, weighing less, and having poorer lung function.
Bone density: Smoking women usually have a lower bone density than nonsmokers. This places the smokers at higher risk for osteoporosis and hip fractures, especially after menopause.
Digestive tract: Smokers have an increased risk of peptic ulcers and Crohn’s disease.
Eye disease: Smoking is associated with a greater risk for cataracts.
Depression: Smokers are significantly more likely to become depressed than nonsmokers.
Since women are more vulnerable to some of smoking’s adverse effects, they’ve got more to gain from quitting. Ask your doctor about the many options available today to help you to stop smoking. After all, it’s your life. It’s your choice.
For more information: American Cancer Society, www.cancer.gov.
Contact Dr. Elizabeth Smoots, a board-certified family physician and fellow of the American Academy of Family Physicians, at doctor@practicalprevention. com. Her columns are not intended as a substitute for medical advice or treatment. Before adhering to any recommendations in this column consult your health care provider.
2006 Elizabeth S. Smoots.
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