This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/health/6128674.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bladder cancer early smoking link Bladder cancer early smoking link
(40 minutes later)
Smoking - or being exposed to second-hand smoke as a child or teenager increases the risk of bladder cancer in later life, a study suggests. Smoking while underage - or even being exposed to second-hand smoke as a child - increases the risk of bladder cancer in later life, a study suggests.
European researchers looked at data on almost 430,000 people across Europe. Researchers funded by Cancer Research UK looked at data on almost 430,000 people across Europe.
They found people who had been exposed to second-hand smoke in childhood were almost 40% more likely to develop bladder cancer. They found people who smoked before the age of 15 were three times more likely to get bladder cancer later in life.
The research, funded by Cancer Research UK is published in the International Journal of Cancer. Those exposed to second-hand smoke in childhood were almost 40% more likely to develop bladder cancer.
Bladder cancer is the fourth most common cancer affecting men and the tenth most common affecting women in the UK. The disease is the fourth most common cancer among men and kills more than 4,800 people in the UK each year.
Over 10,000 new cases are diagnosed, and more than 4,800 people die from the disease in the UK each year. The research was published in the International Journal of Cancer.
DurationDuration
The researchers analysed data from the 429,906 people taking part in the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), 633 of whom went on to develop bladder cancer during the following six years.The researchers analysed data from the 429,906 people taking part in the European Prospective Investigation of Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC), 633 of whom went on to develop bladder cancer during the following six years.
They also looked at the smoking habits and exposure to smoke.They also looked at the smoking habits and exposure to smoke.
Being exposed to parental smoking, or second-hand smoke in another way, as a child was linked to an increased risk of the cancer - although exposure as an adult at home or at work was not.Being exposed to parental smoking, or second-hand smoke in another way, as a child was linked to an increased risk of the cancer - although exposure as an adult at home or at work was not.
The finding is in line with previous studies.The finding is in line with previous studies.
Overall smokers were four times more likely to develop bladder cancer. But both the intensity and duration of smoking affected their risk.Overall smokers were four times more likely to develop bladder cancer. But both the intensity and duration of smoking affected their risk.
People who had started smoking before they were 15-year-old had a three-fold higher risk of bladder cancer than those who had never smoked. People who had started smoking before they were 15 had a three-fold higher risk of bladder cancer than those who had never smoked.
If someone started smoking between the ages of 15 and 19 they had a 1.5-fold higher risk.If someone started smoking between the ages of 15 and 19 they had a 1.5-fold higher risk.
'Vulnerable''Vulnerable'
Writing in the International Journal of Cancer, the researchers said: "The indication in our study is that early exposure to tobacco smoke might increase the risk of bladder cancer calls for further research and adds to the body of evidence suggesting that children are more sensitive to carcinogens [cancer-causing agents] than adults."Writing in the International Journal of Cancer, the researchers said: "The indication in our study is that early exposure to tobacco smoke might increase the risk of bladder cancer calls for further research and adds to the body of evidence suggesting that children are more sensitive to carcinogens [cancer-causing agents] than adults."
Dr Naomi Allen of Oxford University, a UK researcher who worked on the study, said: "Previous research has shown that there's a strong link between smoking and bladder cancer.Dr Naomi Allen of Oxford University, a UK researcher who worked on the study, said: "Previous research has shown that there's a strong link between smoking and bladder cancer.
"But this study also suggests that young people who are exposed to second-hand smoke are more at risk of going on to develop the disease in later life."But this study also suggests that young people who are exposed to second-hand smoke are more at risk of going on to develop the disease in later life.
"This adds to the growing body of evidence that children and adolescents may be even more vulnerable to the harmful effects of tobacco smoke than adults.""This adds to the growing body of evidence that children and adolescents may be even more vulnerable to the harmful effects of tobacco smoke than adults."
Professor John Toy, Cancer Research UK's medical director, said: "Although more research is needed to confirm the seeming effects of childhood exposure to second-hand smoke, the study's findings support the health value of the smoking ban in public places."Professor John Toy, Cancer Research UK's medical director, said: "Although more research is needed to confirm the seeming effects of childhood exposure to second-hand smoke, the study's findings support the health value of the smoking ban in public places."