In a Minute, Cigarettes Causes Cancer Directly?

It seemed almost everyone in cigarettes is the principal cause of lung cancer. However, not many people realize that the chemicals in cigarettes will direct form of cancer compounds in a matter of minutes after smoked, not a month or years after a person addicted cigarette.

The scientists whose study is reported in Chemical Research in Toxicology said polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), chemicals in cigarette when inhaled, will be directly converted into chemicals that damage DNA and are carcinogenic (cancer originator.) The process was short-lived, between 15-30 minutes after inhaled.

The study was conducted by measuring the levels of PAH in 12 patients after they smoked. Research conducted by a team from the University of Minnesota is the first time the influence of PAHs in the metabolism of the body especially after the cigarette is smoked. The study also did not see other factors, such as air pollution or diet.

"The surprise of this research is how fast the process of occurrence of this cancer. Not in 30 years but within 30 minutes after the cigarette is smoked," said Martin Dockrell, policy and research director of Action on Smoking and Health.

Although the damage caused by cigarettes is going fast, not too late to quit. "The sooner you quit, the sooner also suppressed the effects of damage," he said.