Does Nicotine Affect Women Differently? Does It Increase Risk of Breast Cancer?

Question: Does Nicotine Affect Women Differently? Does It Increase Risk of Breast Cancer?

Answer: The answer to both questions is that while research is still unclear, it's thought that nicotine has a negative and unique impact on women, including breast cancer risk.

When it comes to cancer, nicotine and cigarette smoking can increase your risk of cancer in general. The chemicals found in cigarettes are carcinogenic, or cancer causing. So smoking increases your risk of many types of cancer. Meanwhile, one cigarette ingredient in particular -- nicotine -- suppresses the ability of your ovaries to produce estrogen. So, smoking may result in low estrogen levels, or in some cases, premature menopause. Lower estrogen can affect your health in several ways:

• Decreased fertility
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Osteoporosis
• Contaminated breast milk
• Contaminated breast fluid

Sources:
Science Magazine. Nicotine in breast fluid of nonlactating women. Published January 1978.

US Department of Health and Human Services. Nicotine in Breast Milk Shortens Baby's Naptime. Published Sept. 4, 2007.

American Journal of Epidemiology. Smoking Cigarettes before First Childbirth and Risk of Breast Cancer. Published on April 9, 2007.