Return to Top Other Cancers Smoking is a major cause of cancer of the oropharynx and bladder among women. Evidence is also strong that women who smoke have increased risk for cancer of the pancreas and kidney. For cancer of the larynx and esophagus, evidence that smoking increases the risk among women is more limited but consistent with large increases in risk. Women who smoke may have a higher risk for liver cancer and colorectal cancer than women who do not smoke. Smoking is consistently associated with an increased risk for cervical cancer.
More research is needed.
Return to Top Cardiovascular Disease Smoking is a major cause of coronary heart disease among women. Risk increases with the number of cigarettes smoked and the duration of smoking. Women who smoke have an increased risk for peripheral vascular atherosclerosis. Smoking cessation reduces the excess risk of coronary heart disease, no matter at what age women stop smoking. The risk is substantially reduced within 1 or 2 years after they stop smoking.