Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaledition.com/i/872903
While cigarette smoking continues to decrease among most American adults, almost 17 percent of men still light up every day. Reasons to STOP SMOKING NOW INFERTILITY Smoking decreases sperm count by up to 23 percent. "We advise against smoking, period, but it is especially important for men trying to start a family to quit," says Ivan Grunberger, M.D., chief of urology at NYP Brooklyn Methodist. "It has been documented that smokers take longer than nonsmokers to achieve conception." 1 2 3 4 5 LUNG CANCER "Cigarettes are one of the few things known to cause lung cancer," says Rameen Miarrostami, M.D., pulmonologist at NewYork- Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital. "The toxins in tobacco smoke are poison to the lungs." Smoking is connected to approximately 90 percent of lung cancer deaths in men, making cessation a clear and critical prevention step. IT IS WIDELY KNOWN that smoking is detrimental to overall health and a risk factor for developing heart disease and high blood pressure, but it also contributes heavily to other health conditions. Here are five additional reasons why men who smoke should start their smoking cessation journey today. ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION Because smoking affects small blood vessels, it is no surprise that it is a significant risk factor for erectile dysfunction. "There should be a warning on the cigarette package that smoking is hazardous to an erection," Dr. Grunberger says. "Obviously, other effects are more serious, health-wise, but that's usually one of the risk factors I discuss with men." BLADDER CANCER "I tell patients that the top 20 causes of bladder cancer are all smoking," says Dr. Grunberger. "Most people aren't aware of that relationship. It's also one of the most expensive cancers to treat, and it's almost entirely preventable by not smoking." ABDOMINAL AORTIC ANEURYSM (AAA) AAA occurs when the section of the aorta in the mid-abdomen becomes enlarged or balloons, weakening the artery wall. Smoking contributes to this weakness, and if the aorta ruptures, it can be life threatening. "Men who are 65 or older and have been smokers should be checked for this condition," says Dr. Miarrostami. "The test is a simple abdominal sonogram that specifically detects the presence of AAA." A P A I N I N T H E W A L L E T Smoking doesn't just affect physical health. It also has a marked impact on the smoker's bottom line. One pack of cigarettes can cost between $10.50 and $13. With that, smokers could purchase: • Coffee for themselves and a friend • An on-the-go lunch • Monthly video streaming subscription Smoking one pack daily can cost upward of $4,800 a year. With that, smokers could: • Take a relaxing vacation • Pay off a chunk of debt • Save for retirement $ FA L L 2 017/ / W W W.N Y P.O RG / BRO OKLY N 26 26 M E N ' S W E L L N E S S