E-Cigarettes and Breast Cancer: Is Vaping Really Safer?
- QuitSure Team
- Aug 12, 2025
- 5 min read
Vaping has become a go-to alternative for many smokers who want to cut down on cigarettes, but is it really safer, especially when it comes to breast cancer? While e-cigarettes don’t burn tobacco, they still release aerosols containing nicotine, volatile organic compounds, and cancer-linked chemicals.
According to the American Cancer Society, smoking causes about 20% of all cancers and 30% of cancer deaths. Although vaping may reduce exposure to some toxins, research shows it can still deliver harmful substances that damage DNA and cells.
With over 27 million e-cigarette users worldwide in 2024, understanding the potential risks is crucial, especially for women concerned about long-term health and cancer prevention.
What’s in e-cigarette aerosol?
E-cigarettes heat a liquid (often called e-liquid or vape juice). That liquid usually contains nicotine, flavourings, solvents like propylene glycol and glycerine, and other chemicals. The vapour you inhale can contain:
Nicotine (almost always in rechargeable cartridges and many disposables).
Volatile organic compounds and small particles.
Known or suspected carcinogens such as formaldehyde makers and nitrosamines (in some devices/conditions).
Public health authorities are clear: e-cigarette aerosols are not harmless. They contain chemicals that can damage tissue and DNA. The basic pathway that can increase cancer risk.
Smoking vs. vaping: known cancer risks
1. Exposure to carcinogens: smoking vs. vaping
Smoking brings thousands of chemical contents in the tobacco smoke, which are more than 7000, and at least 50 have been known to be sources of cancer. It results in 80-90% of the cases of lung cancer throughout the world.
The e-cigarette aerosol has toxicants that are found to be less in lab studies, up to 9 to 450 times less than cigarette smoke. Vaping continues to expose users to known carcinogens such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde, acrolein, and toxic metals such as cadmium and nickel, which are associated with cancer risk and can build up with heavy, frequent consumption.
2. Biomarkers & Early Risk Evidence
When a smoker makes the complete transition to vaping, carcinogen biomarkers have been shown to decrease by 57% within a week and 67% within two weeks. Even then, a study shows that users of the exclusive e-cigarette have a 2.2-increased likelihood of cancer as opposed to non-smokers, with OR 1.96 among traditional smokers.
There is no definitive evidence of an increase in cancer cases yet by systematic reviews, but vaping has been linked to DNA damage, oxidative stress, and other biological modifications that have the potential to develop cancer with time.
3. Dual Use: A Great Risk
Individuals who combine vaping and smoking expose themselves to lung cancer that is 3-4 times greater as compared to isolated smoking. In the case of smoking-only users, there is an odds ratio of lung cancer of approximately 13.9, which soars to 57.8 combined with vaping.
This increased risk is probably due to the combined exposure to both sources of carcinogens and other chemical interactions within the body. With dual use, the harm-reduction value of vaping over traditional smoking can be eliminated, according to public health experts.
4. Device Considerations & Interventions of Concern
Formaldehyde in high-voltage or advanced vaping devices is able to reach levels as high as those in cigarette smoke. In June 2025 a study found that some disposable vapes, including EscoBar and ELFBAR, also released lead and other metals at levels that might expose users to more lead than 20 cigarettes per day.
Contamination with these chemicals is attributed to cancer, cardiovascular issues, and neurological harm. It is also creating acute debates regarding the quality of production, control, and the possibility of prolonged non-nicotine health disturbance.
5. Expert Perspectives & Public Health Balance
Organisations like Cancer Research UK state that vaping is far less harmful than smoking but is not risk-free, especially with long-term effects still unclear. Public Health England estimates vaping is 95% less harmful than smoking and may have preserved 677,000 life-years in the U.S. between 2011 and 2019 by helping smokers switch.
Nonetheless, experts stress the importance of using vaping only as a quitting help, not as a long-term habit or in combination with smoking, to minimise cancer risk.
What does the data say about who is vaping?
Vaping is common among young adults and teens in many countries. For example, recent U.S. data show notable use among 18–24-year-olds, and youth vaping remains a public health concern worldwide. These patterns matter because earlier exposure (especially before age 25) may make tissues more vulnerable to harm from nicotine and toxic chemicals.
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Ending Note
If you want to quit nicotine for good, combine medical advice with tools that support your daily behaviour changes. A well-designed quit smoking app can provide that daily coaching, tracking, and motivation you need.
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FAQs
1. Is vaping safer in comparison to smoking?
Vaping will not make you as exposed to toxic chemicals as you would be with traditional smoking, but still, it is not free of dangers. Even e-cigarette vapours may have nicotine, heavy metals, and carcinogens. There are long-term effects still under research.
2. Is there a possibility of cancers due to vaping?
No evidence exists yet proving that vaping causes cancer directly, but it has been demonstrated that chemicals released in vaping can induce DNA damage and injuries to human cells, and this can be the cause of cancer in the long run, in particular for the persistent users.
3. Does vaping make you stop being a smoker?
There is also the case of smokers using vaping to quit cigarettes, yet they fall into the category of being dual users. The health advisors suggest one should stop using all nicotine items to benefit their health incredibly.
4. Does a second-hand vape e-cig hurt?
Yes. Secondhand vape aerosol exposes nicotine and small particles capable of damaging the lungs and blood vessels. Though it is not as toxic as secondhandsmoke, it is not completely safe, particularly with young children and expecting mothers.
5. Is it a vape or is it a smoke that is more addictive?
They both could be equal addicts, as they both provide the same amount of nicotine, which is very addictive. Other e-liquids carry more nicotine levels than cigarettes, which is why it is equally important to quit.
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