Smoking is 'clearly linked' to prostate cancer

There is a 'clear link' between smoking and a man's risk of dying from prostate cancer, a new study has warned.

Those who continue to smoke after being diagnosed are less likely to survive treatment - and even those who have quit have reduced odds for 10 years after kicking the habit. 

Smoking is a known risk factor for the development of various forms of cancer.

However when it comes to the link between smoking and prostate cancer, the findings of previous studies have been contradictory.

Now, for the first time, an international study published in the journal European Urology, claims to have provided evidence of a clear link.

The research was conducted by MedUni Vienna and Basle University Hospital in Switzerland.

It found that of cancer patients who had their prostate removed, smokers and ex-smokers had a much higher risk (specifically twice the risk) of the disease recurring. 

'Our study findings underline the importance of informing a prostate cancer patient about the negative effects of smoking,' said Professor Shahrokh Shariat, of the University Clinic of Urology at MedUni Vienna.

For smokers who have quit, the the negative impact of smoking - and the higher risk of the disease returning - is offset within ten years of quitting.

However Professor Shariat insists men who quit even after diagnosis will see huge benefits to their health.

He said: 'It is never too late to quit smoking. On the contrary: as our study shows, it makes sense to quit, even if you are already suffering from prostate cancer.'

The study conclusions were drawn after assessing data from six international cancer research centers.

This involved 7,191 patients, who had had their prostate glands removed between 2000-2011, during a procedure called radical prostatectomy. 

None of the patients had received preoperative radiotherapy, hormonal therapy or chemotherapy - and patients whose cancer had spread were excluded from the study.   

Until now, the link between smoking and the development of prostate cancer has been uncertain.

And the researchers say it is still not clear, in scientific terms, whether (and, if so, to what extent) smoking is associated with the development of prostate cancer. 

Older studies indicate that there is a clear association but recent studies show the opposite. 

However, what is proven is that smoking increases the risk of dying from prostate cancer. 

The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA). 

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