News You Can Use A monthly newsletter from the Cancer Learning Center • March 2008 - Issue 34 Not Just for Lung Cancer Anymore: Smoking Linked to Colon Cancer


Most people know that smoking increases your risk for lung cancer, but did you know that smoking may increase your risk for colon cancer, too? A new article published in the scientifi c journal Gastroenterology reports that people who smoke are two times more likely to develop colon polyps than those who don’t smoke. Former smokers’ risk is lower, but they are still more likely to develop colon polyps than people who never smoked.


The National Cancer Institute defi nes a colon polyp as “an abnormal growth of tissue in the lining of the


bowel.” Most polyps are benign, meaning they are not cancerous. However, some types of colon polyps have the potential to turn into cancer. These polyps are called adenomatous polyps. This new study reports that smoking is linked to these more dangerous polyps.


What’s the take-home message? Smoking increases a person’s risk of having high-risk colon polyps, which may increase the risk of colon cancer. Quitting smoking will reduce your risk of developing these dangerous colon polyps. The Cancer Learning Center offers free smoking cessation classes; the next class begins April 21. Please call the Cancer Learning Center at 585-0605 for more information.


Keep History Alive: Share Your Stories with Future Generations


Preserve history with YourStory at the Cancer Learning Center. Created by Meg Brady, University of Utah English and ethnic studies professor and folklorist, YourStory helps cancer patients, their families, and the public document tales of their lives. Recording sessions take place at Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI), or trained facilitators with portable recording equipment visit homes or patients in rooms at Huntsman Cancer Hospital. The fi rst two hours of recording are free with a nominal charge for additional sessions. To make an appointment call HCI’s Linda B. and Robert B. Wiggins Wellness Center at (801) 587-4585.


How Patient and Public Education Can Help


Huntsman Cancer Institute’s Patient and Public Education (PPE) Department operates the Cancer Learning Center, Huntsman Cancer Information Service, and community outreach and prevention education. Committed to increasing knowledge about cancer prevention and treatments, the PPE staff provides information and support for cancer patients and their loved ones during diagnosis, treatment, and recovery; increases public knowledge and use of community resources related to cancer; and supports effective information gathering, decision making, and a personal sense of control over one’s health. For more information, call (801) 581-6365 or (888) 424-2100 toll free, or visit huntsmancancer.org/clc.


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