November marks both Stomach Cancer Awareness Month and Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Month, a time to shed light on two serious gastrointestinal cancers that often go unnoticed until symptoms become severe. While they may seem unrelated, both cancers share a powerful and preventable risk factor: smoking.
How Smoking Harms the Digestive System
When most people think about smoking, they think of lung disease. But smoking affects far more than your lungs, it damages nearly every organ in the body, including your digestive system. The harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke can:
● Alter DNA in cells of the stomach and pancreas
● Increase inflammation throughout the GI tract
● Weaken the immune system’s ability to fight off abnormal cell growth
● Reduce the effectiveness of cancer treatments
Over time, smoking creates an environment where cancer can more easily develop and progress, particularly in sensitive organs like the stomach and pancreas.
The Link Between Smoking and Stomach Cancer
Stomach cancer, also known as gastric cancer, develops slowly and often without early symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they may include:
● Persistent stomach pain
● Bloating after meals
● Nausea or vomiting
● Loss of appetite
● Unexplained weight loss
Smokers are at significantly higher risk for stomach cancer than non-smokers. Tobacco exposure can damage the lining of the stomach, increase acid production, and promote changes in the stomach’s cells, all of which contribute to cancer development.
Pancreatic Cancer and Smoking: A Dangerous Combination
Pancreatic cancer is one of the most aggressive and difficult-to-detect cancers. Early symptoms are rare, but may include:
● Upper abdominal or back pain
● Yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
● Fatigue
● Digestive issues or changes in stool
● Sudden, unexplained weight loss
Smoking is the leading preventable risk factor for pancreatic cancer. In fact, up to 25% of pancreatic cancer cases are directly linked to smoking. Tobacco chemicals can reach the pancreas through the bloodstream, damaging pancreatic tissue and promoting the growth of cancer cells.
Why Quitting Smoking Matters At Any Age
It’s never too late to stop smoking. Research shows that quitting smoking:
● Lowers your risk for both stomach and pancreatic cancers
● Improves digestion and GI function
● Enhances the effectiveness of cancer treatments if diagnosed
● Increases life expectancy and overall health
The Great American Smokeout, observed this year on November 20, is a national event that encourages smokers to take the first step toward quitting. Whether you’ve smoked for months or decades, today can be the day you take control of your health.
When to See a GI Specialist
If you smoke or have smoked in the past and experience symptoms like stomach pain, digestive changes, or unexplained weight loss, it’s important to talk with a gastroenterology provider. Early detection can make a critical difference in treatment outcomes.
At Granite State Gastroenterology, we offer advanced screening and diagnostic tools to evaluate symptoms and guide appropriate next steps. Your gut health is essential to your overall well-being and we’re here to help you protect it.
Take Action for Your Health
Don’t wait for symptoms to worsen. If you’re ready to quit smoking, need help managing GI symptoms, or want to understand your cancer risk, request an appointment with our team today.