Smokers trying to kick the habit have received some bad news after a scientist published research linking popular nicotine replacement therapies to an increased risk of developing mouth cancer. The study, which can be read in the journal Public Library of Science One, suggests that replacement products like nicotine gums, lozenges and inhalers can heighten a user’s chances of developing cancer when used long-term.
The scientists, from the University of London, focused on the impact of a particular gene, FOXM1, in the development of cancer of the mouth. Dentistry students at Queen Mary’s University also found that FOXM1 levels were raised during the early stages of mouth cancer. It was discovered that this gene was more likely to show up in a mutated form when patients had been using products such as the gums or inhalants. This likelihood increased if the patient had a lesion already in their mouth; smokers already have an higher risk of developing mouth cancer in any case.
At the moment, the NHS strongly promotes NRT as a good way to give up smoking. In extreme cases, they may prescribe one of two medications, Champix or Zyban. However gums and similar tools are very easily accessible and can be picked up without prescription at local pharmacies. Recently a study showed that NRT could encourage people to quit even when that was not their original intention, indicating that it might be beneficial to encourage smokers to use it regardless of their long-term intentions.
Despite the fears this research will raise it is very unlikely it will have any effect in the numbers of doctors encouraging patients to try NRT. Though there may be a small increase in the risk of a fairly uncommon cancer, smoking is proven to cause a wide variety of extremely serious illnesses so ultimately, the benefits of nicotine sweets and gums far outweigh the risks.