(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- A new study adds to the extensive research showing a connection between smoking and rectal cancer. The latest analysis found smoking may be a risk factor for rectal, but not colon cancer.

Ohio State University researchers conducted a study to look at the association between smoking history and colorectal cancer. Researchers used data on nearly 147,000 participants in the Women’s Health Initiative. During an eight year period, 1,242 women were diagnosed with colorectal cancer.

Researchers say their analysis reveals that an increased colorectal cancer risk is associated with more cigarettes smoked per day, more years as a smoker and older age when the women quit smoking. Current smokers were at an increased risk for rectal cancer, but not colon cancer, compared to those who never smoke.
 

Study authors conclude that this study adds to previous research showing that by decreasing the amount of time someone smokes may reduce colorectal cancer risk.

SOURCE: Journal of the National Cancer Institute, published online Nov. 13, 2007