Smoking A US National Cancer Institute study has said that current and past smokers are at a significantly increased risk for head and neck cancers like cancer of larynx, nasal passage/nose, oral cavity and throat.

This study looked at data collected from over 4,76,000 men and women between 1995 and 2000.

The analysis of this data revealed that smoking increased head and neck cancers in both men and women. However, it appeared to have a greater impact in women.

The study said that smoking was attributed to 75% of such cancers in women, compared to 45% of such cancers in men.

Here is what researchers concluded from the study: “Incidence rates of head and neck cancer were higher in men than in women in all categories examined, but smoking was associated with a larger relative increase in head and neck cancer risk in women than in men.”

The study authors have said that in order to lower head and neck cancer rates, public health efforts to eliminate smoking should continue.