Smoking linked to increased risk of developing eyelid cancer

Researchers have outlined an elevated risk of developing eyelid cancer among smokers.

The study, which was published in Ophthalmology Science, found that being older, white or male were each associated with a higher risk of developing eyelid cancer.

Researchers analysed data from 82,136 patients with eyelid cancer on the American Academy of Ophthalmology IRIS Registry.

Smoking was independently associated with a 11% greater risk of developing any form of eyelid cancer compared to non-smokers.

Smoking particularly elevated the risk of squamous cell carcinoma – with smokers having a 59% higher chance of developing the condition compared with non-smokers.

“This finding might be explained by the fumes emitted when a cigarette is smoked containing more than 7000 chemicals, of which 70 are either known or suspected carcinogens,” the authors highlighted.

They noted that the findings could assist in the early detection of eyelid cancer.

“Health care providers should maintain a high index of suspicion for possible eyelid cancer when examining high-risk patients, such as older white non-Hispanic men who are active smokers,” the authors emphasised.