Cigarette Smoke

Smoking causes 85% of all lung cancers, and 14% of all cancers—among them cancers of the mouth, pharynx (throat), larynx (voice-box), esophagus, stomach, pancreas, cervix, kidney, ureter, and bladder. More than 171,500 new diagnoses were expected in 1998. Other environmental factors add to the carcinogenic qualities of tobacco. For example, alcohol consumption combined with smoking accounts for three-quarters of all oral and pharyngeal cancers. Also, persons predisposed genetically to certain cancers may develop cancer more quickly if they smoke. Only 14% of lung cancer patients survive five years after diagnosis.