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Researchers find first clear link between smoking, prostate cancer

Xinhua, June 23, 2015 Adjust font size:

A new international study has found the first clear link between smoking and prostate cancer, following previous contradictory findings, it was announced Monday.

While the link between smoking and various forms of cancer has long been established, the Medical University of Vienna along with the University Hospital of Basel found clear links in a new study published in the journal European Urology.

It stated following removal of the prostate gland due to prostate cancer, the risk for a recurrence (known as a biochemical recurrence) of the cancer for both smokers and former smokers doubles.

The data was gathered from six international cancer research centers, covering 7,191 patients who had their prostate glands removed between 2001 and 2011.

The researchers say the link between smoking and the actual development of the cancer is however still unclear, with older studies showing a clear association but newer studies the opposite.

Shahrokh F. Shariat, principal of the University Clinic of Urology at the Medical University of Vienna, said the study findings "underline the importance of informing a prostate cancer patient about the negative effects of smoking."

He said the negative impact of smoking on the risk of biochemical recurrence can however be offset within 10 years of quitting, meaning "it is never too late to quit smoking." Endit