Tobacco-Associated Cancers

While tobacco use has been declining since 1965, 14% of adults in Texas are still self-reported current smokers. Rates of smoking among young adults also remain high, with almost one in five 25-34 year olds currently smoking. Although the introduction of e-cigarettes has led to a recent decline in tobacco-cigarette use, especially among younger adults, 5% of high school students still use regular cigarettes and 19% use e-vapor products. Even though e-cigarettes do not burn tobacco, they still contain harmful substances including nicotine and their health effects are not yet fully understood.

Tobacco smoke increases the risk of cancer, including cancers of the lung, bronchus & trachea, lip, oral cavity & pharynx, larynx (voice box), esophagus, kidney & renal pelvis, cervix, urinary bladder, pancreas, colon & rectum, stomach, and liver, as well as acute myeloid leukemia.

Tobacco is a key modifiable risk factor for cancer. Nineteen percent of all cancers are attributable to tobacco use. This ranks tobacco as the leading preventable cause of cancer, causing three in ten cancer deaths.

To quantify rates and trends of tobacco-associated cancers in Texas, age-adjusted incidence rates for Texas were calculated for 2013-2017. Note that the correlation between individual-level tobacco use and cancer risk was not assessed. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) in age-adjusted incidence rates from 2008-2017 was used to assess whether rates increased, decreased, or remained stable over time.

 

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Texas Cancer Registry

Texas Cancer Registry

Cancers Associated with Modifiable Risk Factors