One cigarette can cause lung cancer

Show your kids this study, because it provides the proof you need that even just one cigarette can start to cause damage to your genes that increase your risk for developing any of the following:

1. Lung cancer
2. Heart disease
3. Stroke
4. Emphysema
5. Infertility
6. Alzheimer's disease.

The study, completed at the University of Minnesota, shows that even after as little as 15 minutes of smoking a cigarette the human body starts to metabolize harmful substances --polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons s (PAH). The resulting molecules can cause DNA damage that can lead to any of the above,  particularly cancer.

The DNA mutation caused by smoking just one cigarette is permanent, and increases your risk for developing lung cancer.  Cigarettes can effect your DNA really fast, and this includes both cigarette smoke from both 1st and 2nd hand smoke.

Differences in the way our body's process PAH may help researchers understand why some people who smoke develop cancer and others do not.

Related links

• Everything you need to know about lung cancer

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