Health for Body Mind and Soul

The American Cancer Society states that skin cancer is a very common disease, and an estimated 70,000 or more individuals will be diagnosed with skin cancer in 2011 based on the increase in the incidence of skin cancer over the last 30 years. Although skin cancer is seen more often in men than women, new research findings show a relationship between smoking and skin cancer, especially in women.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) there are approximately 1 billion smokers in the world, and every 6.5 seconds someone dies from tobacco use. While smoking primarily increases the risk for cardiovascular disease and lung cancer, it also contributes to other serious health problems and death.

Smoking contributes to premature aging of the skin by destroying the proteins that give it elasticity, depleting the skin of vitamin A, and restricting blood flow to the skin. As a result of these changes people who smoke tend to have dry, leathery skin that is etched with tiny lines which is most pronounced around the eyes and lips.

Another reason to quit smoking, especially for women, is the findings of a recent study by Rollison & Dover (2011) who found a link between tobacco use and skin cancer. The risk of skin cancer was greatest in women smokers compared to male smokers.

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