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Smoking and the risk of prostate cancer: a review of risk and disease progression

Sundaresan I, Palanisamy N, Saraswathy R

Genes and environment : the official journal of the Japanese Environmental Mutagen Society, 2025

2 citations

Abstract

Background: Prostate cancer is still the most common malignancy affecting men worldwide, with causes ranging from genetics to environmental and lifestyle factors. This review narrows its attention to investigate smoking as a risk factor for the start and progression of prostate cancer. While age, ethnic differences, family history, and genetic abnormalities such as BRCA1 and BRCA2 remain important, smoking-particularly long-term and heavy use-emerges as a modifiable risk factor that needs deeper consideration. Though this review attempts to offer a worldwide perspective on smoking and prostate cancer risk, we also include a focus on new research from India, given the country's particular regional patterns and growing evidence.

Methods: A systematic review of PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science was undertaken using "smoking" and "prostate cancer." The criteria for selecting articles were relevancy, developing research, and accessibility. The exclusion criteria eliminated non-human research and associated issues. This study examined worldwide patterns, however primarily focused on tobacco use and prostate cancer in India according to recent findings. Regional research emphasised smoking and prostate cancer risk patterns and mechanisms.

Results: Tobacco use is still a substantial risk factor for several malignancies, including prostate cancer. Globally, smoking has been associated with an increased risk of getting prostate cancer, with research indicating that smokers had a…

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