Recent studies have uncovered yet another negative effect of smoking – the genetic mutation of DNA. A recent Canadian study has demonstrated that smoking causes DNA mutations within sperm cells, implementing that children of male smokers may inherit permanent and negative changes to their DNA before they are even born. Two comprehensive studies conducted in the United States and the United Kingdom have further revealed that a single lung tumor is likely to contain tens of thousands of genetic mutations, and that additionally fifteen cigarettes will cause a single genetic mutation. If you’re wondering whether genetic mutation is really a big deal, let me assure you, it is. When cells are caused injury because of the body’s condition, which may include being exposed to the sun’s harmful UV rays or smoke inhalation, the cell becomes a genetic “error” and begins to multiply in an out-of-control fashion. This mutated cell literally becomes cancerous, and as it continues to multiply, it will either form a malignant or benign tumor.
If smoking just fifteen cigarettes has the potential to mutate your genes and give you cancer, every pack of cigarettes you buy could put you on your deathbed. For example, smoking just one pack of cigarettes per week will leave you with forty-eight gene mutations at the end of the year, one of which could be life-threateningly cancerous. By quitting smoking, it’s easy to rid yourself of the risk of acquiring cancer – before it’s too late.
Although this new research doesn’t bode well for current smokers, the development in cancer treatment research has been catapulted forward, as this new method of research that has been developed to analyze the genetic sequencing and mutations will allow cancer researchers to identify gene sequences and eventually develop a way to counter-act the genetic errors that have occurred as a result of smoke inhalation and exposure to sunlight.
If you’re interested in quitting smoking, talk to your doctor about different quitting methods, between nicotine products and medications that don’t contain nicotine, you’ll find a method of treatment that’s right for you.
