November 17, 2011 is the annual Great American Smokeout, sponsored by the American Cancer Society.

To mark the occasion, here are two recent articles in the November issue of Gastroenterology associating increased risk of gastrointestinal polyps, dysplasia,  and cancer with tobacco smoke exposure.

Smoking Increases the Risk for Colorectal Adenomas in Persons with Lynch Syndrome, Renate M. Winkels, Akke Botma, Fränzel J.B. van Duijnhoven, Fokko M. Nagengast, Jan H. Kleibeuker, Hans F.A. Vasen, Ellen Kampman (get the PDF)

Tobacco Smoking Increases the Risk of High-Grade Dysplasia and Cancer Among Patients with Barrett’s Esophagus, Helen G. Coleman, Shivaram Bhat, Brian T. Johnston, Damian McManus, Anna T. Gavin, Liam J. Murray (get the PDF)

Remember to remind your patients who smoke of the benefits of quitting. You can refer them to resources through the American Cancer Society.