Women smokers at more risk for colon cancer: study

 SMOKING’S connection to cancer is well-established. Now, researchers say cigarettes increase the odds for developing colon cancer, especially for women.

Women who have ever smoked have an almost 20% increased risk for colon cancer, compared with women who never smoked, according to the study, published April 30 in Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention.

“Women who smoke even 10 or fewer cigarettes a day increase their risks for colon cancer,” lead researcher Dr. Inger Gram, a professor in the department of community medicine at the University of Tromso in Norway, said.

“Colon cancer is common. Even this moderate smoking accounts for many new cases,” she said. “A lot of colon cancer can be prevented if people don’t smoke – especially women.”

The study involved data on more than 600,000 men and women, aged 19 to 67, surveyed by the Norwegian Institute of Public Health. Participants answered questions about their smoking habits, physical activity and other lifestyle factors. 

Over 14 years of follow-up nearly 4,000 people developed colon cancer, and the odds were greatest for smokers, women in particular. – MSN Healthy Living