A 38-year-old member asked:
What exactly is it that causes lung cancer. is it the nicotine, the tobacco, or the smoke?
2 doctor answers • 2 doctors weighed in
Dr. Hesham Hassaballaanswered
Pulmonary Critical Care 24 years experience
The smoke: It is the smoke that causes the lung cancer. The smoke causes an intense inflammatory reaction in the lungs, and when this continues for years and years, it can cause lung cancer.
Now, the nicotine itself doesn't usually cause the cancer, but it is more addictive than heroin. Thus, you get hooked on the cigarettes, which have the smoke, which causes the cancer. A very, very sinister product.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Creighton Wrightanswered
surgery 58 years experience
Carcinogens: The burning and smoke contains bad irritants- carcinogens.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
5.2k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Similar questions
A 39-year-old member asked:
Please explain why tobacco causes lung cancer?
1 doctor answer • 1 doctor weighed in
Dr. Frederick Tibayananswered
Thoracic Surgery 25 years experience
It's complicated.: Smoking accounts for the vast majority (but not all) cases of lung cancer. Cigarette smoke contains many substances (carcinogens) that predispose to cancer. They do this in different ways, like interfering with normal lung cell functions, making them divide more rapidly or die more slowly, or by suppressing the normal immune response to tumors. Don't smoke.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
4.5k viewsAnswered >2 years ago
Last updated Nov 14, 2017
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