A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology has linked smoking with a double fold risk of morality for colorectal cancer patients, according to a Colon Cancer News Today report.
The researchers identified 2,548 patients with invasive nonmetastic colorectal cancer and determined their smoking habits. The authors found that patients who smoked had nearly double risk for colorectal cancer-specific mortality and double the risk for overall mortality, according to the report.
The authors concluded smoking:
• Leads to more aggressive tumors
• Lessens the efficacy of colorectal cancer treatments
Though the researchers found a clear association, they suggested further study is needed to determine how smoking affects the course of the disease, according to the report.