Lung cancer: light smokers, big risks

A large-scale study conducted in Australia has once again highlighted the fact that cigarette smoking, even at low levels, leads to a sharp increase in the risk of cancer for smokers, particularly lung cancer.[1].

Nearly 230,000 Australians, both smokers and non-smokers, participated in a longitudinal study in New South Wales. Analysis of the results shows that a smoker consuming between one and five cigarettes a day runs a significantly increased risk of developing twelve types of cancer, and is ten times more likely to develop lung cancer than a non-smoker.

An increased risk of developing cancer

According to the study, smokers, regardless of the amount consumed, have a 42% higher risk of developing cancer than non-smokers. However, these risks vary depending on the type of cancer. For example, smokers have more than 17 times the risk of developing lung cancer than non-smokers, 11 times the risk of laryngeal cancer, 2.5 times the risk of head and neck cancer, 3.8 times the risk of esophageal cancer, 4 times the risk of liver cancer, 3 times the risk of bladder cancer, 2.6 times the risk of pancreatic cancer, and a 31% higher risk of colorectal cancer.

Nearly 10 times more risk for light smokers

The risk of cancer, particularly lung cancer, is increased among smokers who smoke between one and five cigarettes per day compared to non-smokers. Indeed, for a non-smoker, the risk of developing lung cancer is 9.22 times higher among light smokers than among non-smokers. This risk also varies depending on the quantity consumed and the duration of exposure: among smokers of more than 35 cigarettes per day, the risk is multiplied by more than 25.

Risk reduction involves stopping smoking completely

For Dr. Marianne Weber, a researcher at the Daffodil Centre and the originator of the study, the results show, however, that the risk of cancer is considerably reduced when smokers stop smoking, and the earlier they stop, the lower the risks.[2]. In this way, the researchers emphasize that completely stopping smoking remains the real solution to improving health. The authors conclude that the results of the study demonstrate the need for continued investment in strategies to prevent smoking and facilitate cessation.

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[1] Weber, MF, Sarich, PEA, Vaneckova, P, et al. Cancer incidence and cancer death in relation to tobacco smoking in a population-based Australian cohort study. Int. J.Cancer. 2021; 1–13. https://doi.org/10.1002/ijc.33685

[2] Daffodil Centre, Risk of lung cancer increased almost 10-fold among Australians smoking as few as 1-5 cigarettes per day, 05/28/2021, (accessed 06/16/2021)