A recent study claims vaping causes similar DNA changes as smoking, which are linked to the future development of lung cancer.
In this article...
Researchers at University College London and the University of Innsbruck claim e-cigarettes cause similar DNA changes in our cheek cells as cigarettes. These changes are said to be connected with the development of cancer.
The study included 3,500 participants, who were an accumulation of smokers and e-cigarette users. They gathered samples from cells that are directly exposed to tobacco, such as the mouth.
Let’s dive into the facts and discover the truth behind this morning’s news headlines.
Does this study confirm that vaping causes Cancer?
No. The cell changes the study found cannot be linked to the same mutations found in smoking induced cancer cells (1).
The research showed that changes occur. However, it didn’t look into the health effects and therefore couldn’t conclusively prove vaping causes cancer.
The first author of the study, Dr. Chiara Herzog said, “We cannot say that e-cigarettes cause cancer based on our study, but we do observe e-cigarette users exhibit some similar epigenetic changes in buccal cells as smokers,(2).
What does this mean?
The study is at an early stage and due to the lack of research into what these findings mean we shouldn’t jump to the conclusion that the changes cause cancer. All we know is that the cells do change due to vaping but are not causing mutations.
What do other medical professionals state?
The Charity Cancer Research debunked the study. They stated to not give up vaping if you feel you will return to smoking and to remember E-cigarettes are a 95% less damaging alternative. However, they agree the research does allow us to learn more about vaping (1).
Prof Peter Shields, Emeritus Professor of Medical Oncology at the Ohio State University, said:
"The journal Cancer Research is a really high quality journal, but epidemiologically this study does not lead to the conclusions the authors claim, with a substantial weakness for their smoking/vaping analysis" (3).
Dr Mangesh Thorat, Honorary Reader at Queen Mary University of London, said:
"The study findings are interesting as such because these point to a potential for e-cigarette vapour to cause local tissue injury and cellular changes at least in the short-term. The data are not sufficient to comment on long-term harms associated with e-cigarette use, or any association such changes may have with the risk of developing cancer” (3).
Our Thoughts
At the Electronic Cigarette Company, we always prioritise your health by selling products approved by the MHRA. We pride ourselves in being the leaders in smoking alternatives. We urge ex-smokers not to let the headlines discourage them from using e-cigarettes.
Sources
(1) Cancer Research. (2024). Can vaping cause changes in our cells?
(2) Medical X Press. (2024). Similar DNA changes found in cells of both smokers and e-cigarette users.
(3) Science Media Centre. (2024). Expert Reaction to epigenetic changes in cells of smokers and vapers.
