How Tobacco and Secondhand Smoke Increase Bladder Cancer Risk

By Olivia Smith

Previously, it has been unclear what lifestyle choices that bladder cancer patients have made may relate to their cancer risk. However, one very recent study has now addressed some of these uncertainties. Let’s delve into this study a bit deeper…

Fight Bladder Cancer would like to share the findings of this study in hope that it spreads awareness of lifestyle choices associated with bladder cancer. Hopefully, by spreading awareness, Fight Bladder Cancer will help others to reduce their risk of this illness which has severely impacted the lives of many individuals.

The aim of this study was to compare tobacco smoking use, e-cigarette use, passive smoke exposure, weight, and relationship status of patients with bladder cancer to the general population and to those with a different type of cancer (prostate cancer). This study collected data from 2092 bladder cancer patients using a questionnaire-based approach. This data was then compared to data previously collected from 3826 men in England that were surveyed in the Life After Prostate Cancer Diagnosis study. Data was also compared to previous general population data for the rate of smoking in Yorkshire that was obtained in 2019, rates of e-cigarette use, smoking and BMI in England that was collected in 2019, and exposure to others’ smoke and exercise levels in England that was collected in 2017 and 2018 respectively.

This study found that most of the participants were ex-smokers (61% vs. 10% current vs. 29% never). It was also found that e-cigarettes were uncommonly used amongst the bladder cancer patients when compared to the general population in England (9% vs. 12%). However, passive smoke exposure was much more common in participants than in the general population in England (48% vs. 16%).

The bladder cancer patients were less likely to be obese than the general population in England (22% vs. 33%). Yet, obesity was similar to that seen in men with prostate cancer (19%). However, the mechanism behind these findings need to be investigated further.

One other significant finding was that bladder cancer patients were less likely to be married or in a civil partnership than individuals with prostate cancer (69% vs. 78%). However, relationships could not be compared between the bladder cancer patients and general population in England due to questions in the studies not being similar enough.

 

How to reduce your passive smoke exposure

* Share this article: Talk with any family members who smoke and discuss your health concerns with them

* Create Smoke-Free Zones: Establish certain areas in your home and car as "smoke-free zones." Make it clear to family members and friends who smoke that these areas are off-limits for smoking. 

* Avoid Smoke-Filled Environments:  While many places restrict smoking indoors, it's not always completely avoidable. Opt for venues that are designated as 100% smoke-free whenever possible.

* Use Air Purifiers and Ventilation: If you're in a living situation where avoiding all secondhand smoke is impossible, consider using an air purifier designed to remove tobacco smoke particles. While this isn't a perfect solution, it can help reduce the levels of passive smoke in the air. Also, please ensure that your home is well-ventilated by opening windows or using exhaust fans to help disperse smoke.

 

How to stop smoking

The NHS has online stop smoking services offering help and advice.

England: https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/quit-smoking/

Wales: www.helpmequit.wales

Scotland: https://www.nhsinform.scot/healthy-living/stopping-smoking

Northern Ireland: https://www.stopsmokingni.info

 

Further advice can be found on our website at:

https://fightbladdercancer.co.uk/get-help/living-cancer/stop-smoking

 

Conclusion

Tobacco smoking and passive smoke exposure are two significant lifestyle factors that are common among bladder cancer patients. 

Please spread the word of these findings to protect the health of your friends and family. By raising awareness of the impact of these lifestyle choices, we can make a difference in the fight against bladder cancer.

 

This study can be found at:

Catto, J. W. F., Rogers, Z., Downing, A., Mason, S. J., Jubber, I., Bottomley, S., Conner, M., Absolom, K., & Glaser, A. (2023). Lifestyle Factors in Patients with Bladder Cancer: A Contemporary Picture of Tobacco Smoking, Electronic Cigarette Use, Body Mass Index, and Levels of Physical Activity. European Urology Focus. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2405456923001013

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