Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Background: Tobacco use has remained a significant public health challenge worldwide due to its strong association with various cancers. One of the little-known factors contributing to tobacco-related cancers is the presence of naturally occurring radioactive substances in tobacco leaves. These naturally occurring radionuclides, such as radium-226, actinium-228, bismuth-214, and radium-228, originate from soil and fertilizers used in tobacco growing. Materials and Methods: In this review study, articles were collected from Medline, PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar search engines using keywords: "natural radioactivity," "tobacco," "cancer development," "cigarette," "smoking," "cancer," "carcinogenesis," "radioresistance," and "radiotherapy." Articles were searched without a time limit. The inclusion criteria were articles written in English and having full-text availability. Results: The studies demonstrate a strong correlation between smoking and side effects of cancer treatment. These effects are not limited to specific cancer types but have been observed across various malignancies and therapies. Conclusion: The carcinogenic mechanism of tobacco is very diverse and complex, involving both chemical and radiobiological factors. Understanding these mechanisms can help develop sensitive methods to identify signature carcinogens in tobacco, facilitating effective and targeted epidemiological studies.
Source: Tobacco and Health
DOI: 10.34172/thj.1098
Authors: Mohammad Haghparast, Leili Darvish
Institution: Hormozgan University of Medical Sciences
Language: English
Subfield: Radiological and Ultrasound Technology
Field: Health Professions
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4401288440