A meta-analysis of published epidemiological studies has found that exposure to second-hand smoke can significantly increase the risk of breast cancer in women who do not smoke. The study is published in the British Journal of Cancer . Review Article: Exposure to second-hand smoke and breast cancer risk in non-smoking women: a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis .
Image Credit: Studio Peace / Shutterstock Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy in women, accounting for about 15% of all female cancer-related mortality. Approximately 2.3 million new breast cancer cases have been reported in 2020.
Notably, it accounts for one-third of cancer diagnoses in women aged below 50 years. Besides non-modifiable risk factors, such as advanced age and genetic mutations, breast cancer is associated with various modifiable risk factors, including smoking, alcohol intake, lack of physical activity, post-menopausal weight gain, and use of contraceptives or hormone therapies. Second-hand smoke is considered a toxic air pollutant with carcinogenic potency.
Exposure to second-hand smoke occurs when a person involuntarily inhales tobacco smoke present in the surrounding environment. According to the World Health Organization, second-hand smoke is associated with approximately 1.2 million deaths annually worldwide.
The current meta-analysis aimed to provide a comprehensive understanding of the association between second-hand smoke exposure and the risk of breast can.
