Chapter 1, Problem 1SC

Summary Introduction

To review:

The statement that both heart disease and cancer are caused due to genetic reasons and diet cannot influence whether they occur or not.

Concept Introduction:

Cancer and heart disease have a complex relationship mediated by several similar factors such as diet, body fat distribution, physical activity, hormones (sex hormones, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor signaling, and adipokines), chronic inflammatory burden, and oxidative stress. Beside this, smoking also impacts on aggravation of cardiovascular incidence that leads to different stages of atherosclerosis and mortality by numerous mechanisms. 

Also, tobacco smoking is actively involved in the generation of a number of carcinogens, pro-inflammatory stimuli and oxidizing agents that processes abnormal signaling pathways and contribute to the progression of cancer and heart disease. One of the compound nicotine also actively plays a role in the pathogenesis of both heart disease and cancer.