Breast Cancer Risk Decreases with Less Exposure to Smoking

According to a new study, women that come from smoke-free homes and workplaces are less likely to develop or die from breast cancer.

The analysis, which was part of a study of health behavior at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, New York, revealed that 20 percent of the decrease in breast-cancer death rates over the last few years came as a result of changes in smoke-free home and workplace regulations.

"While the evidence for secondhand smoke and breast cancer risk remains controversial, this study demonstrates a very strong inverse correlation. States with higher percentages of women working and living in smoke-free spaces have lower breast cancer rates," study author Andrew Hyland said in an institute news release.

"This study provides yet another reason for people to stop smoking and avoid secondhand smoke exposure," added colleague K. Michael Cummings.

This report will no doubt simply add to the confusion that currently exists regarding the true impact of smoking on potential breast cancer. What originally started out as a health debate, has slowly but surely devolved into a political debate which has serious ramifications for cigarette companies all over the United States.

This study is scheduled to appear in an upcoming issue of the journal Tobacco Control.