Smoking is one of the habits that cause lung cancer. However, some people do not get cancer even if they smoke throughout their lives. A new study sheds light on the reasons for this mystery.
According to the Cancer Fighters Association, every 50 cigarettes smoked, to lung cancer causes an associated DNA mutation. When smoking for many years and even a lifetime, mutations are increasing and cancer becomes an inevitable end. However, for some people this is not the case.
We must have heard of people who smoke for life and do not have critical health problems such as cancer in our daily lives. Just like us, scientists wonder why this is. According to the results of a new study, these people are compared to other people who have cancer. “to a natural advantage” they may have.
There is not always a direct correlation between the number of cigarettes smoked, the length of the smoking period and the risk of cancer:
Within the scope of the study, 14 never smoked; of 19 light, moderate and heavy smokers. samples taken from lung bronchi used. Mutations in the genomes of lung cells in these samples were examined.
Simon Spivack, a pulmonologist and epidemiologist from Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York, USA, who was part of the aforementioned research team “The lung cells we chose as an example are actually decades can live throughout. Mutations can accumulate in these cells due to both age and smoking. These are the lung cells with the highest risk of developing into cancer. says.
Stating that these cells naturally mutate with aging, the researchers emphasize that smoking significantly increases these mutations and increases the risk of cancer. However, according to the new results, this risk is as first thought. proportionally does not rise. Spivack “Top smokers do not have the highest mutations” says and adds:
“Our data show that individuals who do not have cancer despite smoking can survive for such a long time because they manage to suppress the accumulation of excess mutations.”
What is the main cause of lung cancer?
GIF: Breathing capacity of a healthy lung with a cancerous lung
According to studies on the subject, tobacco smoke causes cell mutations in the lung, but these mutations turn into tumors, how well it can repair DNA connected. If a heavy smoker does not get cancer, this shows that DNA mutations can be repaired without causing tumors.
On the other hand, it is possible for some people whose DNA mutations cannot be prevented, to easily get cancer despite consuming less cigarettes. Even when it comes to lung cancer as a mutation trigger It’s not just necessary to smoke. Malnutrition, environmental conditions, and a life without sports also trigger these mutations.
Although some smokers get away with cancer due to their DNA repair abilities, this does not change the fact that smoking is a harmful habit. Indeed, as a result of many symptoms associated with smoking, cardiovascular, respiratory, kidney, depression or type 2 diabetes such as deadly diseases.
The reasons why some people who smoke a lot do not get cancer are listed as follows:
GIF: Cancer (green) is taking over a blood vessel (Harvard University)
- Inheriting DNA repair genes against mutations
- Reducing risk by getting rid of food-borne mutations by dieting or eating healthy foods
- Slowing down DNA mutations by exercising
However, why one person is better at DNA repair than others remains a mystery. Jan Vig, geneticist on the research team “We are working to find a way to measure a person’s DNA repair capacity and in that way assess cancer risk.” says.
You can access the scientific publication of the research in question here.