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National Cancer Institute Fact Sheet
  • Reviewed: 08/03/2010

Women and Smoking


Key Points
  • Smoking increases a woman’s risk of cancer and other health problems (see Question 1).
  • Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in U.S. women (see Question 2).
  • Quitting smoking offers immediate and long-term health benefits (see Questions 3 and 4).
  • Resources are available to help women quit smoking (see Question 5).
  1. Are women who smoke at increased risk of health problems?

    Yes. Women and men who smoke are at increased risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and lung disease and of dying prematurely (1, 2).

    A pregnant smoker is at higher risk of having her baby born too early and with an abnormally low weight. A woman who smokes during or after pregnancy increases her infant’s risk of death from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) (1, 2).

    In addition, some studies suggest that women who smoke are more likely to experience irregular or painful periods. Smokers are more likely than nonsmokers to go through menopause at a younger age. Women who smoke after menopause have lower bone density and a higher risk of hip fracture than do women who don’t smoke (1).

  2. Does smoking increase cancer risk in women?

    Yes. Smoking causes cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx (voice box), mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach, and cervix, as well as acute myeloid leukemia (2). In 1987, lung cancer surpassed breast cancer to become the leading cause of cancer death in U.S. women. Unlike early breast cancer and many other types of cancer, lung cancer is rarely curable (3). Most deaths from lung cancer among U.S. women are caused by smoking (1).

  3. What are the immediate benefits of quitting smoking for women?

    The immediate health benefits of quitting smoking are substantial. Within a few hours, the level of carbon monoxide in the blood begins to decline. (Carbon monoxide reduces the blood’s ability to carry oxygen.) The former smoker's heart rate and blood pressure, which were abnormally high while smoking, begin to return to normal. Within a few weeks, women who quit smoking have improved circulation, don’t produce as much phlegm, and don’t cough or wheeze as often. Women can also expect significant improvements in lung function within several months of quitting (4).

    Also, women who quit smoking reduce the risk of infertility, and pregnant women who quit early in their pregnancy reduce the risk of the baby being born too early and with an abnormally low weight (1, 5).

  4. What are the long-term benefits of quitting smoking for women?

    Quitting smoking dramatically reduces the risk of developing an illness caused by smoking (2, 6):

    • The risk of death from heart disease is substantially reduced within 1 or 2 years after quitting, and eventually becomes the same as that of nonsmokers.
    • The risk of death from lung cancer and other lung diseases declines steadily, beginning about 5 years after quitting.
    • Quitting smoking as early in life as possible is likely to reduce the risk of fractures that would be caused by smoking in old age.

    Regardless of age, women can substantially reduce the risk of disease, including cancer, by quitting smoking. For women who have already developed cancer, quitting smoking helps the body to heal and to respond to cancer treatment, and quitting reduces the risk of developing a second cancer.

  5. What resources are available to help women quit smoking?

    General Resources

    Government resources that provide information about quitting for all smokers include the following:

    • The Tobacco Control Research Branch of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) established the Smokefree.gov Web site (http://smokefree.gov) in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other organizations. Publications available from the Web site at http://www.smokefree.gov/resources.aspx include the following:

    • The National Network of Tobacco Cessation Quitlines [1–800–784–8669 (1–800–QUITNOW)], an initiative of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, routes callers to a state-run quitline where they can receive help with quitting smoking, publications, and referrals to other resources. Information about this service can be found on the Smokefree.gov Web site.

    • The National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Smoking Quitline at 1–877–448–7848 (1–877–44U–QUIT) offers a wide range of services, including individualized counseling, printed information, referrals to other sources, and recorded messages. Smoking cessation counselors are available to answer smoking-related questions in English or Spanish, Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern time. Smoking cessation counselors are also available through LiveHelp (an online instant messaging service) at http://www.cancer.gov/livehelp on the Internet. LiveHelp is available Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., Eastern time.

    Resources for Women

    Several organizations provide information specifically for women, including the following:

    • NCI’s Tobacco Control Research Branch established the Smokefree Women Web site at http://women.smokefree.gov in collaboration with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other organizations.

      The Smokefree Women Web site allows women to choose the help that best fits their immediate and long-term needs. The Web site features the following resources:


    • The Office on Women’s Health of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has established a special section on its Web site called "Smoking and How to Quit." This section includes information about the health effects of smoking and provides resources to help women quit smoking.

      Address:

      Room 712E
      200 Independence Avenue, SW.
      Washington, DC 20201

      Telephone:

      1–800–994–9662

      Internet Web site:http://www.womenshealth.gov/quit-smoking/

    • The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) established the Office of Women’s Health (OWH) to promote and improve the health, safety, and quality of life of women. A section of the OWH Web site contains information about smoking and tobacco for women.

      Address:

      CDC/ATSDR Office of Women’s Health
      Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
      Mail Stop E–89
      1600 Clifton Road
      Atlanta, GA 30333

      Telephone:

      404–498–2300

      E-mail:owh@cdc.gov
      Internet Web site:http://www.cdc.gov/women/az/smoking.htm

Selected References

  1. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Women and Smoking—A Report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2001.

  2. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The Health Consequences of Smoking: A Report of the Surgeon General.  Atlanta, GA:  U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 2004.

  3. Ries LAG, Harkins D, Krapcho M, et al.  SEER Cancer Statistics Review, 1975–2003.  Bethesda, MD:  National Cancer Institute, 2006.

  4. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.  The Health Benefits of Smoking Cessation.  Rockville, MD: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control, Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Office on Smoking and Health, 1990.

  5. Cnattingius S.  The epidemiology of smoking during pregnancy:  Smoking prevalence, maternal characteristics, and pregnancy outcomes.  Nicotine & Tobacco Research 2004; 6(Supplement 2):S125–S140.

  6. National Cancer Institute (1997).  Smoking and Tobacco Control Monograph 8:  Changes in Cigarette-Related Disease Risks and Their Implications for Prevention and Control.  Bethesda, MD.  Retrieved July 26, 2010, from: http://cancercontrol.cancer.gov/tcrb/monographs/8/index.html.


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Glossary Terms

acute myeloid leukemia (uh-KYOOT MY-eh-loyd loo-KEE-mee-uh)
An aggressive (fast-growing) disease in which too many myeloblasts (immature white blood cells that are not lymphoblasts) are found in the bone marrow and blood. Also called acute myeloblastic leukemia, acute myelogenous leukemia, acute nonlymphocytic leukemia, AML, and ANLL.
bladder (BLA-der)
The organ that stores urine.
blood (blud)
A tissue with red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and other substances suspended in fluid called plasma. Blood takes oxygen and nutrients to the tissues, and carries away wastes.
blood pressure (blud PREH-sher)
The force of circulating blood on the walls of the arteries. Blood pressure is taken using two measurements: systolic (measured when the heart beats, when blood pressure is at its highest) and diastolic (measured between heart beats, when blood pressure is at its lowest). Blood pressure is written with the systolic blood pressure first, followed by the diastolic blood pressure (for example 120/80).
bone density (...DEN-sih-tee)
A measure of the amount of minerals (mostly calcium and phosphorous) contained in a certain volume of bone. Bone density measurements are used to diagnose osteoporosis (a condition marked by decreased bone mass), to see how well osteoporosis treatments are working, and to predict how likely the bones are to break. Low bone density can occur in patients treated for cancer. Also called BMD, bone mass, and bone mineral density.
breast cancer (brest KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in tissues of the breast, usually the ducts (tubes that carry milk to the nipple) and lobules (glands that make milk). It occurs in both men and women, although male breast cancer is rare.
cancer (KAN-ser)
A term for diseases in which abnormal cells divide without control and can invade nearby tissues. Cancer cells can also spread to other parts of the body through the blood and lymph systems. There are several main types of cancer. Carcinoma is a cancer that begins in the skin or in tissues that line or cover internal organs. Sarcoma is a cancer that begins in bone, cartilage, fat, muscle, blood vessels, or other connective or supportive tissue. Leukemia is a cancer that starts in blood-forming tissue such as the bone marrow, and causes large numbers of abnormal blood cells to be produced and enter the blood. Lymphoma and multiple myeloma are cancers that begin in the cells of the immune system. Central nervous system cancers are cancers that begin in the tissues of the brain and spinal cord. Also called malignancy.
carbon monoxide (KAR-bun muh-NOK-side)
A poisonous gas that has no color or odor. It is given off by burning fuel (as in exhaust from cars or household heaters) and tobacco products. Carbon monoxide prevents red blood cells from carrying enough oxygen for cells and tissues to live.
cervix (SER-vix)
The lower, narrow end of the uterus that forms a canal between the uterus and vagina.
esophagus (ee-SAH-fuh-gus)
The muscular tube through which food passes from the throat to the stomach.
infertility (IN-fer-TIH-lih-tee)
The inability to produce children.
kidney (KID-nee)
One of a pair of organs in the abdomen. Kidneys remove waste from the blood (as urine), produce erythropoietin (a substance that stimulates red blood cell production), and play a role in blood pressure regulation.
larynx (LAYR-inx)
The area of the throat containing the vocal cords and used for breathing, swallowing, and talking. Also called voice box.
lung cancer (lung KAN-ser)
Cancer that forms in tissues of the lung, usually in the cells lining air passages. The two main types are small cell lung cancer and non-small cell lung cancer. These types are diagnosed based on how the cells look under a microscope.
menopause (MEH-nuh-pawz)
The time of life when a woman’s ovaries stop producing hormones and menstrual periods stop. Natural menopause usually occurs around age 50. A woman is said to be in menopause when she hasn’t had a period for 12 months in a row. Symptoms of menopause include hot flashes, mood swings, night sweats, vaginal dryness, trouble concentrating, and infertility.
National Cancer Institute (NA-shuh-nul KAN-ser IN-stih-TOOT)
The National Cancer Institute, part of the National Institutes of Health of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, is the Federal Government's principal agency for cancer research. The National Cancer Institute conducts, coordinates, and funds cancer research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to the cause, diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of cancer. Access the National Cancer Institute Web site at http://www.cancer.gov. Also called NCI.
pancreas (PAN-kree-us)
A glandular organ located in the abdomen. It makes pancreatic juices, which contain enzymes that aid in digestion, and it produces several hormones, including insulin. The pancreas is surrounded by the stomach, intestines, and other organs.
phlegm (flem)
A more than normal amount of thick mucus made by the cells lining the upper airways and lungs. A buildup of phlegm may be caused by infection, irritation, or chronic lung disease, and can cause discomfort in the chest and coughing.
second primary cancer (SEH-kund PRY-mayr-ee KAN-ser)
Refers to a new primary cancer in a person with a history of cancer.
stomach (STUH-muk)
An organ that is part of the digestive system. The stomach helps digest food by mixing it with digestive juices and churning it into a thin liquid.
sudden infant death syndrome (suh-DEN in-FUNT deth SIN-drome)
The sudden and unexpected death of a healthy child who is younger than one year old, usually during sleep. The cause of sudden infant death syndrome is not known. Also called crib death and SIDS.
throat (throte)
The hollow tube inside the neck that starts behind the nose and ends at the top of the trachea (windpipe) and esophagus (the tube that goes to the stomach). The throat is about 5 inches long, depending on body size. Also called pharynx.

Table of Links

1http://www.smokefree.gov/pubs/Clearing-The-Air_acc.pdf
2http://www.myclearhorizons.com
3http://www.smokefree.gov/landing.aspx?rid=3
4http://www.smokefree.gov/landing.aspx?rid=4
5http://www.smokefree.gov/landing.aspx?rid=5
6http://dccps.cancer.gov/tcrb/No_FumarC.pdf
7http://www.smokefree.gov/landing.aspx?rid=7
8http://women.smokefree.gov/quit-guide.aspx
9http://women.smokefree.gov/talk.aspx
10http://women.smokefree.gov/resources.aspx
11http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/light-cigarettes
12http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/ETS
13http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/cessation
14http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/tobacco/smoking