Which types of cancer are linked to tobacco smoking?

Tobacco smoking is a significant cause of various cancers, as cigarette smoke contains more than 60 known carcinogens that can damage cellular DNA. Because these toxins are inhaled and circulate through the body, smoking is linked to the development of several types of cancer, including:1

• Lung cancer: Active smoking and exposure to secondhand smoke are believed to account for 90 percent of all cases.1
• Bladder cancer: Smoking is the most significant risk factor for this disease, as carcinogens are absorbed into the bloodstream, filtered by the kidneys, and concentrated in the bladder.12
• Pancreatic cancer1
• Laryngeal cancer1
• Oral cancer1
• Esophageal cancer13

Additionally, users of smokeless tobacco face a substantially increased risk of developing head and neck cancers due to the repeated exposure of the oral mucosa to toxins. Quitting smoking significantly reduces these risks, although the likelihood of developing cancer remains higher than that of a person who has never smoked.1