A new study from the American Cancer Society concludes that smoking cigarettes may play a role in contributing to colon cancer.

     It is already known that cigarettes contribute to lung and other cancers, but currently colon cancer is not classified as smoking-related. That may change in light of the new study in the December 6th issue of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

     The study included a total of 779,000 people - 310,000 men and 469,000 women. Male smokers were found to have a 34% higher risk of dying from colon cancer. Female smokers in the study had a 43% higher risk of death. The risk of rectal cancer was slightly lower than that of colon cancer.

     A higher risk of death from colon cancer was associated with:

• The number of years a person smoked.
• The number of cigarettes smoked per day.
• Starting smoking at a young age.
• Total packs of cigarettes smoked.

     Also at risk were former smokers who had smoked for more than 20 years. This risk declines after being smoke-free for 10 years in women, and 20 years in men.

     Those who smoke cigars and pipes also face a 34% increase in risk.

     Dr. Ann Chao from the American Cancer Society says, "I certainly would advise smokers that this is yet another reason to quit smoking, and the earlier the better ".