M8 Discussion – Tobacco and Alcohol/Drugs
Learning Activities
Required Reading
Brannon & Updegraff: Chapters 12 & 13
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Smoking & Tobacco Use webpage:
Fast Facts
TIPS Campaign
State Fact Sheets
The Truth Initiative
Video: Rufjunk. (April, 2008). Nicotine Addiction and Molecule Diffusion. (3:46)
The National Institute on Drug Abuse – A website with many options to learn more about prevention and treatment of drugs/alcohol issues.
Video: Detox to Rehab. (July, 2016). The Addicted Brain. (5:40)
Module Objectives
At the end of this module, you should be able to, via your discussions and assignments:
Comprehend how smoking impacts the respiratory system
Explain the health consequences of using tobacco and alcohol/drugs
Understand how drugs and alcohol impact the human body
Determine the risk factors for tobacco, drugs, and alcohol use
Understand methods of effective treatment for tobacco, drugs, and alcohol
The resources below and incorporating them into your written assignments or the discussion area. (Remember to cite any materials you use.) (Remember to cite any materials you use.)
Behavioral Risk Factors in Cancer
McTiernan A. (2008). Behavioral risk factors in breast cancer: can risk be modified? (includes abstract). Oncologist, 8(4), 326-34.
“The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that 25% of breast cancer cases worldwide are due to overweight/obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
The preponderance of epidemiologic studies indicates that women who engage in 3–4 hours per week of moderate to vigorous levels of exercise have a 30%-40% lower risk for breast cancer than sedentary women. Women who are overweight or obese have a 50%-250% greater risk for postmenopausal breast cancer.
Alcohol use, even at moderate levels (two drinks per day), increases risk for both premenopausal and postmenopausal breast cancer.”
National Cancer Institute: Cancer Causes and Risk Factors
Doctors often cannot explain why one person develops cancer and another does not. But research shows that certain risk factors increase the chance that a person will develop cancer. These are the most common risk factors for cancer:
Risk Factors in Cardiovascular Diseases
Risk factors are traits and lifestyle habits that increase a person’s chances of having coronary artery and vascular disease. Some risk factors cannot be changed or controlled, while other risk factors are controllable.
The Changing Rates of Cancer Deaths
Cancer Mortality Surveillance – United States, 1990-2000. MMWR. Surveillance Summaries, June 4, 2004. 53(SS03);1-108
“Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the United States and is expected to become the leading cause of death within the next decade.
Considerable variation exists in cancer mortality between the sexes and among different racial/ethnic populations and geographic locations.
The description of mortality data by state, sex, and race/ethnicity is essential for cancer control researchers to target areas of need and develop programs that reduce the burden of cancer.”
Reducing Cardiovascular Diseases
The Prevention Of Cardiovascular Disease: Have We Really Made Progress? Pearson, Thomas A.. Health Affairs, Jan/Feb2007, Vol. 26 Issue 1, p49-60, 12p
“Despite reductions in cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality, current evidence suggests that CVD is not being prevented but, rather, is being made less lethal.
Evidence based guidelines have been developed for secondary, primary, and community based prevention. To improve compliance with secondary prevention guidelines, programs must better organize and monitor care.
Primary prevention requires assessment of risk in asymptomatic people to yield cost effective benefits.”