Table of contents:
- What is the link between liver cancer and smoking?
- How does smoking affect liver function?
- Quitting smoking is the best decision
When you are diagnosed with liver disease, your doctor will recommend that you quit smoking along with a number of other lifestyle change suggestions. Because the parts of the body function together and no organs are separate entities, smoking does not only have a negative impact on the lungs. Smoking also has an impact on liver function in overcoming the damaging effects of toxins and cigarette smoke. In fact, smoking can cause liver cancer.
What is the link between liver cancer and smoking?
New research confirms the link between smoking, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption being strong risk factors for liver cancer
Researchers from the US and Europe studied 125 liver cancer patients to determine the risk factors that contributed to their disease. The researchers compared this patient group with 229 cancer-free individuals who were adjusted for age, sex, and other factors. All participants are part of a research group formed so that researchers can investigate the role of biological, diet, lifestyle and environmental factors in the development of cancer and other chronic diseases.
They found that nearly half of all liver cancer cases in the study were related to smoking.
How does smoking affect liver function?
One of the main functions of the liver is to offer toxins in the bloodstream. This organ filters the blood, separating the substances needed to maintain the body's life functions. The more toxic substances that must be filtered, the more clogged the liver will become, and the less efficient it will be in carrying out this task.
When it comes to processing large amounts of toxic substances contained in cigarette smoke with a limited surface area of the liver, the risk of liver disease increases. When functioning with diseases such as cirrhosis or hepatitis, there is less and less part of the liver that can filter out toxic substances. Cirrhosis not only inhibits the regenerative ability of the liver but also reduces its ability to filter out toxic substances.
The liver also plays a role in regulating fat in the blood through the presence of cholesterol, both the "good" cholesterol (HDL) and the "bad" cholesterol (LDL). The optimal ratio of good and bad cholesterol is compromised by liver disease, and when coupled with nicotine's ability to raise blood fat levels, this creates dangerous buildup of blood fats. Nicotine, the active and addictive ingredient in tobacco, is a cardiovascular and central nervous system stimulant. Nicotine makes blood vessels constrict, raises blood pressure by stimulating the heart, and increases the level of fat in the blood. Excess fat in the blood can have dire consequences, from hypertension to heart attacks and strokes.
Smoking can change the function of damaged liver cells, reduce the rate of normal cell regeneration, and support cancer development. Cigarette smoke contains many well-known carcinogens. Tar in cigarette smoke contains polynuclear aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH), which is the material that binds to cell DNA that causes damage and triggers cell disorders, also known as cancer.
Quitting smoking is the best decision
Even if you don't have liver disease, you should avoid smoking and stop smoking. That's the most effective way to prevent various diseases. Choosing between a healthy life or the risk of many diseases, it all depends on you. However, we know that you will always want to make your family happy, so there is no doubt what you will choose.
Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.
