Nicotine May Directly Promote Development Of Breast Cancer

Scientists have discovered that when nicotine binds to nAchRs (nicotinic acetylcholine receptors), it may not only promote addiction, but breast cancer as well. We know that non-nicotine components of smoking are carcinogens, however, very little is known about how nicotine acts on cells to encourage cancer growth, the scientists explain.

While previous studies have linked smoking to increased breast cancer risk, they have not been accompanied by molecular biology studies to determine why. In this present study, scientists reveal a link between nicotine itself and breast cancer risk – not just the other non-nicotine components of smoking.

You can read about this study in The Journal of the National Cancer Institute, August 23^rd (2010) issue.

Yuan-Soon Ho, Ph.D., Taipei Medical University, and team examined 276 breast tumor samples from anonymous donors to Taipei Medical University Hospital. They wanted to determine whether subunits of the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor were overexpressed in breast cancer cells compared with other normal cells. Read more

Christopher Hitchens To Undergo Chemotherapy For Esophagus Cancer

British-born author and journalist, Christopher Hitchens, 61, has announced that he is to undergo chemotherapy for cancer of the esophagus, cancelling any further commitments in his current tour to promote his new book Hitch 22. He made the announcement via Vanity Fair’s web site, a publication for which he contributes.

Hitchens is well known to be a heavy cigarette smoker. Although he appeared to have quit in 2008, various sources report that he fell off the nicotine-wagon. Fox News writes that in 2003 he admitted that his alcohol intake was enough to kill or stun the average mule.
Hitchen said:

I have been advised by my physician that I must undergo a course of chemotherapy on my esophagus. This advice seems persuasive to me. I regret having had to cancel so many engagements at such short notice.

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