By DR. RICHARD BELIVEAU, QMI Agency
Tobacco smoking remains the main cause of cancer throughout the world, with more than a million people developing lung cancer every year.
A recent study has shown that the carcinogenic action of tobacco is linked to the accumulation of an impressive number of mutations following prolonged exposure to cigarette smoke.
With more than a billion smokers worldwide, cigarettes continue to hold the title of primary cause of premature death.
Among the negative effects of smoking, like the heightened risk of cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases, the increased risk of cancer remains without a doubt the main consequence of this bad habit; smokers are 20 times more at risk of developing lung cancer than non-smokers.
Globally, it is estimated that more than 500 million people will die in the coming years of illnesses caused directly by cigarette smoking.
GENETIC DAMAGE
Our genetic material is undoubtedly our most precious asset; it is thanks to our genes that we can produce all of the proteins that make up our body and that allow us to live in good health. Cigarettes are bad for us because tobacco smoke contains about 60 compounds that have the ability to modify these genes. This causes the production of defective proteins that are unable to function properly.
When these mutations affect a gene involved in the production of a protein that is essential to cell growth control, the affected gene begins to act abnormally which can ultimately lead to the development of cancer.
PACK OF MUTATIONS
To determine the scale of destruction caused by cigarette smoking, British researchers took on the massive task of determining the ensemble of mutations present in cancerous cells coming from the lung of a smoker. Thanks to new DNA sequencing technologies, the researchers were able to show that cancerous cells contain no less than 22,910 distinct mutations. This illustrates the degree to which mixtures of several carcinogenic substances can ravage the genetic material of smokers.
Even if a good portion of these mutations are considered silent, meaning they don't touch parts of DNA involved in controlling cellular functions, the researchers still observed a number of mutations in these important genes that play a key role in cell growth, notably p53 and Rb.
The carcinogenic potential of cigarette smoking is so high that the researchers estimate that there is, on average, one genetic mutation taking place for every 15 cigarettes smoked, or about two mutations per pack.
In short, a regular smoker that consumes a pack per day will, over the course of one year, experience 600 mutations of his or her genetic material in their pulmonary cells.
In light of these observations, we now have a better understanding as to why cigarettes are so bad for smokers' health. But all is not lost for those that want to kick the habit: the cells containing the genetic mutations are progressively replaced by healthy cells without mutations once you quit smoking. After 15 years, the risk of lung cancer becomes similar to that of a non-smoker.
* * *
ANTICANCER RECIPE: CEREAL CREPES
Serve the crepes with cottage cheese and berries (fresh or thawed). They can be heated in the microwave. You can find multigrain cereals in most grocery stores or natural foods stores.
1 cup (250 ml) multigrain cereal (preferably 8 grain)
1/2 cup (125 ml) millet
1/3 cup flax seed
2/3 cup (150 ml) buckwheat flour
1/2 tsp. (2 ml) baking powder
4 tsp. (20 ml) baking soda
Pinch of salt
1 egg
1/2 cup (125 ml) milk
1 tsp. (5 ml) vanilla
1 cup of water
Mix the first three ingredients together with a coffee grinder. Mix them with the other dry ingredients using a spoon.
In another bowl, beat the egg with the liquid ingredients using a fork. Combine the two mixes and mix well. Let sit for 5-10 minutes to allow to thicken.
Heat a pan over medium heat. Oil well and pour the quantity of mix you desire. Cover the pan so that the inside of the crepe cooks well. Use a spatula to flip the crepe once the first side is cooked. Pay close attention while the crepe cooks. Each crepe should take 7 to 10 minutes total to cook.
Source: Jean Vachon, teacher at Ecole Hoteliere de la Capitale, Quebec City
