New evidence demonstrates link between smoking, prostate cancer prognosis

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

The association between smoking and the development of various forms of cancer are well established; however, evidence of such a link with prostate cancer is contradictory.

Now, an international study led by MedUni Vienna and Basle University Hospital has found evidence of a clear link.

The study combined data on 7,191 patients with prostate cancer who underwent radical prostatectomy, with no preoperative treatments.

The results showed that risk of biochemical recurrence of prostate for smokers and ex-smokers was twice that of nonsmokers. However, this negative effect can be offset within 10 years of quitting.

Although this research still does not clarify, in scientific terms, whether smoking is associated with the development of prostate cancer, it does demonstrate that smoking increases the risk of dying from the disease. 

The researchers acknowledge that further research is needed, but stress the significance of quitting smoking even for those who are already suffering from prostate cancer.