Smoking Increases Oral Cancer Risk
Cigarette smoking destroys protective molecules in saliva, raising
the risk of oral cancer, according to new research, Reuters reported
June 1.
"Cigarette smoke is not only damaging on its own, it can turn
the body against itself," said Dr Rafi Nagler of the Technion-Israel
Institute of Technology in Haifa, Israel.
According to Nagler, saliva contains antioxidants that normally
protect the body against cancer. But a laboratory study on cancerous
cells found that cigarette smoke destroys the antioxidant molecules
and turns saliva into a dangerous compound.
"Our study shows that once exposed to cigarette smoke, our
normally healthy saliva not only loses its beneficial qualities
but it turns traitor and actually aids in destroying the cells of
the mouth and oral cavity," Nagler said.
The study's findings are published in the British Journal of Cancer.
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