Smoking and Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma: Essential Facts to Understand
While the American Cancer Society does not list smoking as a direct cause of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL), research suggests that it increases the risk, particularly for the subtype known as follicular lymphoma.
A study from 2005 found a 31% higher risk of follicular lymphoma for current smokers compared to non-smokers, and a 45% higher risk for heavy smokers. This risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked daily, with the link becoming significant in people who smoke more than 15 cigarettes a day.
Smoking may also have a negative effect on the effectiveness of radiation therapy for cancer treatment. Moreover, it can suppress typical cell death, have a direct carcinogenic effect, and cause other conditions that can affect survival.
Quitting smoking may lengthen survival for those with follicular lymphoma and NHL in general. For those looking to quit, resources like Smokefree.gov, the National Cancer Institute's free and confidential coaching (1-800-QUIT-NOW), and the American Heart Association (1-800-AHA-USA1) can provide support.
Secondhand smoking, or passive smoking, also appears to raise the risk of follicular lymphoma. A 2022 study suggests that exposure to more than two people who smoke during childhood raises the risk of follicular lymphoma.
Potential Mechanisms of Smoking Impact on Cancer Prognosis
Smoking can impair immune function, which may affect the body's ability to fight cancer cells. Cigarette smoke contains thousands of chemicals, many of which cause inflammation and oxidative stress, potentially promoting cancer progression. Smoking is often associated with other lifestyle factors, such as poor diet and alcohol consumption, which can also influence cancer risk and prognosis.
General Recommendations for Reducing Cancer Risk
Quitting smoking is crucial for reducing the risk of many cancers. Maintaining a balanced diet, exercising regularly, and limiting alcohol consumption can help improve overall health and potentially reduce cancer risk.
Additional research focused specifically on the relationship between smoking and follicular lymphoma would be necessary to better understand its impact. The 2017 study found that heavy smokers had a higher risk of NHL and a 143% higher risk of follicular lymphoma compared to non-smokers. Smoking has also been associated with a reduced quality of life and an increased risk of secondary tumors in people who continue to smoke after any cancer diagnosis.
The authors of a study found an association between smoking, follicular lymphoma incidence, and an increased risk of dying from any cause after a follicular lymphoma diagnosis. However, the search results do not provide specific information on how smoking significantly increases the risk and potentially worsens the prognosis of follicular lymphoma. Nonetheless, it is generally known that smoking negatively impacts health by weakening the immune system and increasing inflammation, which can contribute to cancer development and progression. In the context of lymphomas, smoking may exacerbate underlying health conditions and potentially affect outcomes, but direct evidence linking smoking to follicular lymphoma prognosis is not provided in the available search results.
Smoking appears to increase the risk of developing follicular lymphoma, especially for heavy smokers, and may worsen the prognosis due to its impact on the immune system and promotion of inflammation, according to numerous studies. On the other hand, quitting smoking may lengthen survival for individuals diagnosed with follicular lymphoma and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma in general.
