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Show yy by Corey W. Grua Public Info. Chairman, I LUlntah Co. Unit Amer. Cancer SoCj-r Basic causes of cancer still unknown QUESTION: Why does cancer start? ANSWER: No one knows. In fact, the basic causes for most cancers are unknown.. However,1, the causes of certain cancers have been identified:'' overexposure to ultraviolet rays of the sun, excessive radiation, smoking ; cigarettes and contact with certain chemicals. Cancer is not contagious. You can't : "catch" it. 'i It is now generally accepted that cigarette smoking is the major cause of lung cancer in the U.S. Lung cancer ' death rates, for example, are 10 times as high among regular cigarette : smokers as among those who never ' smoke. With heavy smokers two packs of more a day the death rate is 20 times as high. Studies show that smokers also are more likely to have cancers ot the moutn, throat and 1 bladder. Cigarettes today have less tar and nicotine than those smoked two decades ago. The evidence suggests ' that the more tar and nicotine you inhale, the greater your risk of developing lung cancer. However, 1 there is no such thing as a "safe cigarette." The best tip yet is don't smoke cigarettes. FOOTNOTE: The comments above are a beginning for our upcoming campaign called the "Great American Smokeout." More is coming next week. If you smoke, plan on joining millions of Americans who will quit for the day. |