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• The FDA has issued a warning about adverse effects related to a popular hair loss product available through telehealth platforms like Hims & Hers and Ro.
• Males have reported side effects of topical finasteride, including depression, dizziness, and low libido.
• Many consumers reported they were unaware or misinformed about the potential for serious side effects.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a public warning about compounded topical versions of a popular hair loss drug sold through telehealth platforms.

In an alert issued on April 22, the FDA reported 32 cases of adverse events between 2019 and 2024 involving consumers who purchased and used topical finasteride. Finasteride is used to treat hair loss and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

However, the agency has not approved any topical formulations of finasteride. Despite this, such products are commonly marketed by direct-to-consumer telehealth companies, including Hims & Hers and Ro.

These products are “potentially putting consumers at risk,” the FDA cautioned in its statement.

According to the agency, users of compounded topical finasteride reported side effects similar to those associated with the oral form of the drug, including depression, fatigue, insomnia, and decreased libido.

“Some consumers expressed they became very depressed, suffering with pain and their lives were ruined because of these symptoms,” the FDA noted in its warning.

In many cases, consumers said they were not properly informed about these risks, or were even assured by prescribers that topical use carried no risk of side effects. Unlike pharmaceutical companies, telehealth platforms are not held to the same regulatory standards and are not required to disclose potential side effects in their advertising.

Anthony Oro, MD, PhD, Eugene and Gloria Bauer Professor of Dermatology at Stanford Medicine, told Healthline that the reported side effects were consistent with expectations.

“There’s no surprise about the adverse effects, because those are the same that have been seen with the oral medicine,” Oro said. “The disconnect is that people may think because it’s topical that it’s safe and can be used widely at different concentrations without any problems.”

Healthline contacted Hims & Hers and Ro to comment on the FDA warning but did not receive a response.

The FDA alert underscores broader concerns about compounded medications, which the agency does not review or approve. As telehealth services make these products more accessible, experts warn that patients may be unaware of the potential risks.

Risks of compounded finasteride for hair loss

The FDA warning is the latest high-profile incident involving compounded finasteride.

In March, the Wall Street Journal published an investigation detailing adverse effects reported by men who had purchased the drug through telehealth platforms.

Among those interviewed was U.S. Army Sgt. Mark Millich, 26, who said he experienced symptoms such as anxiety, dizziness, and slurred speech. He also reported severe sexual side effects, including reduced libido and genital shrinkage.

Oral finasteride has been FDA-approved for over three decades and is generally well tolerated. However, it is known to carry potential side effects, including:

• erectile dysfunction
• reduced sex drive
• ejaculation disorder
• depression
• dizziness

“Most of the side effects the FDA is seeing for topicals correspond to those that are known from the approved oral formulation. It’s not that there’s a new adverse side effect that are being reported,” said Oro.

Some males also reported long-lasting sexual and psychological effects long after ceasing to take the drug, a condition referred to as post-finasteride syndrome (PFS). Despite these reports, PFS is a hotly debated and controversial phenomenon within the medical community.

Additionally, the FDA notes that there may be additional risks to using a topical form of the drug, including:

• localized irritation
• erythema
• dryness
• stinging or burning

The FDA also warns that since topical finasteride is applied directly to the skin, it may inadvertently transfer to others through contact, an issue with potentially serious consequences.

The drug is contraindicated during pregnancy due to its potential to cause abnormalities in a developing male fetus.

Compounded drugs are not FDA-approved, and there is often little data to determine safety.

Some compounded formulations also combine finasteride with another popular hair loss treatment, minoxidil, due to their synergistic effects on hair growth.

While both minoxidil and finasteride are individually FDA approved, the safety profile of a compounded drug containing both is unclear.

Inadequate warnings about topical finasteride side effects

While the reported symptoms from the FDA’s warning align with known side effects of oral finasteride, the key concern is that consumers either were not informed of the risks or were led to believe they didn’t apply to topical versions of finasteride.

“A lot of people have a misconception that because it’s topical it’s not going to be absorbed systemically,” said Oro.

Such a misconception appears to be propagated by telehealth companies.

On Ro’s website under side effects related to topical finasteride, the company states, “Because topical finasteride does not enter the bloodstream in the same way or quantity oral finasteride does, there’s reason to assume that topical finasteride could come with a lower risk of systemic effects, including sexual side effects.”

Hims describes the potential side effects of topical finasteride as “minimal”, such as skin irritation and itching, typically localized to where the medicine is applied. The company also cites a study supporting the claim that “topical finasteride also comes with a lower risk of sexual side effects than oral finasteride due to its localized use.”

According to the FDA alert, consumers were unaware of the potential side effects of finasteride. The FDA encourages healthcare providers to educate patients on the risks of using compounded finasteride.

With the proliferation of telehealth platforms and expanded access to compounded medications, Oro told Healthline that nothing can replace the doctor-patient relationship required for informed decision-making.

“You need to have someone who understands the medication and the patient — when it is appropriate to use and when you need to stop,” said Oro. “There’s a trend now where you have access to medication without a long-term relationship between the patient and the provider, and we are seeing some of the ill effects of that now.”

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On 19 May 2016, I was admitted to Barnet General Hospital with measles.

I’d started to feel unwell a few days prior to this with a sore throat and temperature, but didn’t think it was anything serious so started a self-care routine of taking paracetamol and warm fluids with some rest.

• A new report on cancer rates in the U.S. shows a steady decline in disease-related deaths over the past 20 years, but an increase in diagnoses among women.
• Among women diagnosed with cancer, women in racial minority and ethnic groups face disproportionately higher rates of incidence.
• Routine screening, access to care, and adhering to a healthy diet and lifestyle can help mitigate cancer risk, particularly in higher-risk individuals.

For more than two decades, cancer death rates have declined steadily in the United States.

The Annual Report to the Nation on the Status of Cancer shows that cancer-related deaths decreased by about 1.7% for men, 1.3% for women, and 1.5% for children each year from 2018 to 2022.

Cancer death rates also decreased across different racial and ethnic populations, according to the report, published on April 21 in the journal Cancer. 

The report also shows a drop in cancer diagnoses among males from 2001 through 2013 before stabilizing through 2021.

Among women, however, there were yearly increases in cancer diagnoses from 2003 to 2021.

Cancers associated with obesity are also on the rise. These include female breast, uterus, colorectal, pancreas, kidney, and liver cancers.

However, the report notes that these trends in death rates and diagnoses were interrupted during the COVID-19 pandemic, likely due to barriers to medical care and missed screenings. This gap in the data could lead to an uptick in cancers diagnosed at later stages in the years to come, the researchers explained.

“The magnitude of the 2020 decline was similar across states, despite variations in COVID-19 policy restrictions,” an NCI press release notes. 

“These findings underscore the importance of providing access to health care, even during public health emergencies, to ensure the timely diagnosis of cancer.”

Cancer-related deaths declining

A decline in death rates from cancer is considered the gold standard for measuring progress made in diagnosis and treatment.

The researchers attribute some of the decline in cancer deaths to reduced incidences and death rates from lung cancer and other smoking-related cancers. 

Jack Jacoub, MD, board certified medical oncologist and medical director of MemorialCare Cancer Institute at Orange Coast and Saddleback Medical Centers in Orange County, CA, agreed. 

“I suspect the strong interaction of smoking cessation and decline in smoking-related cancers significantly influences this finding in men — more men smoked and have since stopped,” he told Healthline.

Jacoub added that improved screening programs and access help detect cancer at earlier stages and improve treatment outcomes and survival rates.

He noted that improved patient-specific factors, such as healthier lifestyles, including smoking cessation, exercise, weight control, and limiting alcohol consumption, are perhaps more significant. 

“[These] all theoretically improve tolerability to and possibly benefit from cancer therapy and improved therapeutics,” Jacoub said.

Anton Bilchik, MD, PhD, surgical oncologist, chief of medicine, and director of the Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Program at Providence Saint John’s Cancer Institute in Santa Monica, CA, echoed Jacoub’s remarks. 

“We have better screening and better understanding of cancer prevention. We recommend avoiding risk factors such as obesity, processed food, and inactivity,” Bilchik told Healthline. 

“We’re learning that all these factors are important, even as a child, and that’s partly relevant to cancers that are increasing in young people, such as colorectal cancer.” 

“While overall incidences are declining and overall outcomes are better, we are seeing some, like colorectal cancer in young people, going up, and it’s the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in people under 50 and second among women.”

Disparities in cancer deaths among women, ethnic groups

While cancer death rates decreased, the report highlights a gradual increase in diagnoses among females, particularly breast and uterine cancers.

As female cancer rates increase, the report also highlights that women in racial minority and ethnic groups are disproportionately affected. From 2017 to 2021 (excluding 2020), cancer diagnoses were highest among American Indian and Alaska Native women.

Jacoub and Bilchik noted some factors contributing to these disparities may include:

• limited access to care
• unhealthy diet
• unhealthy lifestyle habits
• obesity
• low socioeconomic status
• distrust of the medical system
• genetic factors

“Improvement can be achieved [through] education and improving access for all patients,” Jacoub said.

Bilchik said the disparities in female cancer rates were “alarming” and that more work needs to be done to address socioeconomic differences and improve access and screening in areas with limited access to healthcare.

“Women who have less access to healthcare have a large increase in certain cancers, such as breast and uterine cancer, compared to those who have access to screening,” Bilchik said.

What can women do to reduce their cancer risk? 

Screening for cancer is crucial, particularly for those facing higher risks. 

Routine screening can diagnose cancer in its earlier stages and at the most curable point in time. 

Jacoub recommended that women and other at-risk individuals practice the following healthy habits for cancer prevention: 

• eat a healthy, balanced diet rich in plants and antioxidants
• maintain a healthy weight and body mass index (BMI)
• avoid smoking or quit if you smoke
• avoid or limit drinking
• exercise regularly
• receive any recommended vaccinations

Bilchik emphasized the importance of a healthy gut microbiome to help fight inflammation and maintain overall health.

“There is a lot of data now that we carry these trillions of bacteria and viruses in our body known as the microbiome, and it’s important to eat a healthy, balanced diet to enhance healthy bacteria and viruses in our body,” he said. 

“Processed foods or too much alcohol can have a negative impact on the microbiome, which has been shown to have an impact on our immune system. When the microbiome is not balanced, there’s a higher risk of cancer.” 

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• Tina Knowles, the mother of Beyoncé and Solange, said she was diagnosed with stage 1A breast cancer after delaying her scheduled mammogram for four years.
• Knowles is advising women to get regular screenings for the disease so it can be caught in early stages.
• Experts say treatment is usually less intense and more successful if a cancer is detected early on.

The importance of regular breast cancer screenings cannot be overstated.

Tina Knowles, the mother of pop and R&B stars Beyoncé and Solange, recently revealed she was diagnosed in 2024 with stage 1A breast cancer after missing her regular mammogram appointment.

Knowles, 71, said she delayed her breast cancer screening during the COVID-19 pandemic and then didn’t get the exam rescheduled for another four years.

The mammogram revealed that Knowles, who is an entrepreneur, fashion designer, and philanthropist, had a benign tumor in her right breast and a cancerous tumor in her left breast.

Knowles underwent surgery to remove the tumors. She is now cancer-free. Knowles’ former husband, Matthew Knowles, is also a breast cancer survivor.

“I think as women, sometimes we get so busy and we get so wrapped up and running around, but you must go get your test,” Knowles told People magazine. “Because if I had not gotten my test early, I mean, I shudder to think what could have happened to me.”

In her new book, “Matriarch: A Memoir,” Knowles also discusses how a hospital surgeon and an oncologist “talked down” to her about her diagnosis. She then met with a private surgeon who arranged for her to consult with other medical professionals at the hospital.

“A lot of people, especially Black people, feel they have to go with the doctor they are given even if we are not treated well. You deserve second opinions and it’s your opinion that sets the decision,” Knowles told The Today show.

Breast cancer screenings, early detection improve survival rates

The American Cancer Society (ACS) recommends that women ages 40 to 44 be given the option to receive annual mammograms.

The organization also states that women ages 45 to 54 should get mammograms every year, and women ages 55 and older can undergo them every other year.

The ACS states that screenings for all women should continue as long as the woman is in good health and is expected to live at least 10 more years.

A mammogram is an X-ray used to scan breast tissue for cancer and other irregularities. A 3D mammogram is a more advanced breast cancer screening tool that utilizes multiple X-rays taken from different angles.

“Mammograms are the most effective and widely recommended screening tool for breast cancer. Women with higher risk may need MRI in addition to mammograms,” said Tatiana Kelil, MD, the interim chief of the Breast Imaging Division and co-director for the Center for Advanced 3D+ Technologies in the Department of Radiology at the University of California San Francisco.

Experts affirm that regular screenings are important. Among other factors, mammograms can miss 20–30% of cancers.

“Annual mammograms are recommended because of the rate at which breast cancers typically grow in early stages,” explained Christina Annunziata, MD, the senior vice president of extramural discovery science at the American Cancer Society.

“More frequent tests may be necessary if a person is at high risk (hereditary breast cancers, strong family history) or if suspicious findings were present on previous studies,” she told Healthline. “Interval breast cancers (those that arise between imaging tests) tend to be more aggressive and can spread more quickly than usual. This is why it is important not to skip a mammogram.”

“Screening is important to help identify breast cancer (if it were to develop) at the earliest possible stage,” added Mediget Teshome, MD, the chief of breast surgery and director of breast health at the UCLA Health Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center.

“The stage then informs treatment recommendations and is associated with prognosis with early-stage disease associated with improved survival outcomes,” she told Healthline.

What to know about breast cancer

Outside of skin cancers, breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in females in the United States.

It’s estimated that more than 300,000 new cases of invasive breast cancer will be diagnosed in females in the United States in 2025. About 42,000 of these females will die from the disease this year.

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer death in females in the United States. Only lung cancer kills more females.

Overall, the average risk of a woman in the United States developing breast cancer during her lifetime is about 13%. The incidence rate has increased by about 1% per year in recent years.

Common symptoms of breast cancer may include:

• lump in the breast
• lump in the underarm
• change in the shape or size of the breast
• changes in the nipple

Breast cancer treatment may vary depending on what stage it’s discovered and how aggressive the disease has developed in a person, and may include:

• surgery
• radiation therapy
• chemotherapy
• immunotherapy
• hormone therapy
• targeted therapy

“Annual screening mammography, regardless of the woman’s age, has been proven beyond any doubt to reduce the risk of dying from breast cancer,” said Richard Reitherman, MD, a radiologist and medical director of breast imaging at MemorialCare Breast Center at Orange Coast Medical Center in California.

“A woman having annual screening mammograms markedly reduces her personal chance of dying from breast cancer [and] markedly reduces the intensity of treatment effects and therefore fewer long-term side effects,” he told Healthline.

Breast cancer less common in younger women

According to the ACS, the median age for a breast cancer diagnosis is 62. Breast cancer is uncommon in women younger than 45 years of age.

However, breast cancer can be more aggressive and more difficult to treat in females under 40.

The ACS recommends that women with a greater than 20% lifetime risk of breast cancer start to have regular screenings before the age of 40.

“It’s important for younger women to get regular breast cancer screenings because breast cancer can occur at any age and early detection saves lives,” Kelil told Healthline. “Starting screening at the right time helps catch cancer when it’s most treatable.”

“It is important for women to understand that when you are younger, the breast tissue may be harder to interpret on mammogram since most women’s breast are denser when they are younger,” said Janie Grumley, MD, a breast surgical oncologist and director of the Margie Petersen Breast Center at Providence Saint John’s Center as well as an associate professor of surgery at Saint John’s Cancer Institute in California.

“They may be at higher risk of being called back for additional imaging. However, younger patients are less likely to have actual cancer. They can have a number of other benign findings, but additional work-up may be needed to determine if the finding is benign,” she told Healthline.

Black women face disparities in breast cancer

Black women in the United States face higher death rates from breast cancer than any other ethnic group.

One reason is that Black women have a higher risk of developing triple-negative breast cancer, a particularly aggressive form of the disease.

Black women also have higher rates of some risk factors for breast cancer, such as obesity, heart disease, and diabetes.

Researchers have noted that Black women are also more likely to experience stress due to racism and other factors. Chronic stress can contribute to more aggressive tumors.

In addition, some beauty products commonly used by Black women, such as hair relaxers, have been linked to breast cancer risk.

Experts say it’s important for the public and medical professionals to be aware of these facts.

“It is important for all women to have access to breast cancer screening and treatment,” said Teshome.

“There are well-established observed disparities in breast cancer outcomes and mortality by race/ethnicity and other social factors that we should consider unacceptable. Cancer does not discriminate and in order to improve the health of all men and women with breast cancer, timely access to preventative, diagnostic and therapeutic interventions is paramount.”

“Breast cancer affects women across all backgrounds. However, disparities in access can lead to later-stage diagnoses, worse outcomes, and higher mortality, especially in underserved communities,” added Kelil.

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• Real stories of young adults diagnosed with colorectal cancer highlight ongoing concern over increasing cases in adults under 50.
• Colonoscopies are the most accurate way to detect colorectal cancer, but other screening methods are sometimes used.
• Experts urge younger adults to get screened for this type of cancer, especially if they have symptoms or a family history of the disease.

Experts continue to emphasize the importance of younger adults getting screened for colorectal cancer.

The warnings come as the incidences of colon cancer and rectal cancer in younger adults have been increasing for more than a decade.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) reports there will be about 107,000 new cases of colon cancer in the United States in 2025. About 47,000 new cases of rectal cancer are also predicted to be diagnosed in 2025. The incidences are slightly higher for males than they are for females.

The ACS notes that the overall rate of colorectal cancer diagnoses in the United States has declined by about 1% every year between 2012 and 2021. They credit an increase in screenings and changes in lifestyle-related risk factors.

However, the ACS reports that the rate of colorectal cancer in people under 50 in the United States rose more than 2% per year from 2012 to 2021.

The organization adds that the death rate for colorectal cancer has been increasing in younger adults by about 1% per year for the past two decades despite an overall decrease in the disease’s death rate.

Experts aren’t certain what is driving these increases, but they say diet, particularly red and processed meat, and other lifestyle habits may be factors.

The evidence of the rise in colorectal cancer cases isn’t just in statistics. There are also the recent stories from younger adults who have received unexpected colorectal cancer diagnoses.

Stories of early-onset colon cancer highlight importance of screening

An Arkansas woman reportedly lied to her doctors about her gastrointestinal symptoms to get a colonoscopy.

Sydney Stoner said her doctors dismissed her severe abdominal pain in 2019, so she fabricated a story that she had discovered blood in her stools.

A colonoscopy was ordered, and it revealed Stoner, who was 27 at the time, had stage 4 colon cancer. Stoner’s cancer is now “stable” after four years of treatment.

In 2022, a Nebraska woman was diagnosed with stage 3 colon cancer at 48 after her first colonoscopy. Angelica McFall shared that she had no symptoms and no family history of colorectal cancer.

McFall was treated for the disease and is now cancer-free. She is spreading the word about younger adults getting screened.

Last month, William Lindley told Healthline he thought he had irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) due to persistent stomach problems when he was 38.

A colonoscopy, however, revealed he had stage 4 colon cancer. After several surgeries and chemotherapy treatments, Lindley is now moving on with his life. He urges younger adults not to downplay gastrointestinal symptoms.

Colon cancer is treatable when caught early

Experts note that colorectal cancer can be successfully treated if caught in its early stages.

However, it can be difficult to treat if it isn’t detected until its later stages.

They also note that many times colorectal cancer does not produce any symptoms until those later stages.

Hence, they say, the importance of regular screenings, even at a younger age.

The current recommendations call for men and women to start being tested for colorectal cancer at age 45. In addition, screenings may be required before 45 if a person has a family history of colorectal cancer or has certain medical conditions such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

It’s recommended that colonoscopy screenings be done every 10 years for people with no family history of the disease and no polyps discovered during the exam. The time between tests can be shorter for other patients.

“Getting regular screenings for colorectal cancer are extremely important to prevention and early detection of colorectal cancer,” Cindy Kin, MD, an associate professor of surgery at Stanford Health Care in California, told Healthline. “Most polyps and cancers are not symptomatic, so don’t wait for symptoms before getting checked out.”

Katherine Van Loon, MD, a gastrointestinal oncologist at the University of California San Francisco, said it’s “important to raise awareness” among younger adults about colorectal cancer screenings.

“This is a cancer that is entirely curable it we catch it early,” she told Healthline.

Van Loon urges younger adults to not assume they won’t develop the disease because they are under the age of 50.

“It’s important to pay attention to your body and be prepared to self-advocate,” she said.

Van Loon adds that medical professionals also need to be aware of the rising incidence of colorectal cancer in younger people.

“We have to be attentive to what our patients are telling us,” she said.

Babak Firoozi, MD, a gastroenterologist at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in California, agrees.

“Any concerning symptoms should be addressed, regardless of age. Colon cancer is rising in younger people for unknown reasons,” he told Healthline. “Any changes in bowel habits, unexplained abdominal pain, weight loss, or blood in the stool should be evaluated regardless of age.”

Anton Bilchik, MD, a surgical oncologist as well as chief of medicine and director of the Gastrointestinal and Hepatobiliary Program at Providence Saint John’s Cancer Institute in California, also urges medical professionals to be thorough with younger patients.

“Colon cancer is a young person’s disease,” he told Healthline. “Therefore, it is important to consider colon cancer in the differential diagnosis when a patient reports with unexpected weight loss, change in bowel function, or blood in the stool.”

Types of colorectal cancer tests

There is an array of exams that can be given to screen for colorectal cancer.

A variety of stool tests, including those that can be self-administered at home, look for blood and other components that may indicate the presence of cancer.

Experts note that these tests should be done on an annual basis. They also point out that these exams do not reveal exactly where cancerous tissues or tumors are located. A more invasive test, such as a colonoscopy, needs to be done as a follow-up to locate the cancer.

In addition, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2024 approved a new blood test to help diagnose colorectal rectal cancer.

A computed tomography (CT) scan can also be used to seek out cancerous tissue, but experts say this exam may not detect smaller lesions.

The gold standard for colorectal cancer screening is the colonoscopy.

This procedure involves inserting a thin, flexible tube with a light and camera up the rectum after a person has prepped for the exam by taking medication the day before that cleans out the bowels.

Experts say colonoscopies are more accurate than other tests in detecting cancerous tissue. They also note that a doctor can remove polyps during the procedure.

“The other benefit that colonoscopies have compared to other screening tests is that they can actually prevent cancer from forming,” said Kin. “When we see a polyp during a colonoscopy, we remove it at that moment, thus preventing that polyp from ever growing into a cancer.”

Experts acknowledge that many people are reluctant to undergo colonoscopies because they are invasive and inconvenient, but they point out they are best way to detect this type of cancer.

“Colonoscopy is the gold standard and has been shown to significantly reduce the risk of getting colon cancer,” said Firoozi.

What to know about colorectal cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common type of cancer among males and females in the United States.

A 2025 report notes that CRC is the third-leading cause of cancer-related death in males and the fourth-leading cause of cancer-related death in females.

The cancer usually starts in the colon or rectum and can spread to other parts of the body.

The cancer, in many instances, starts as a growth, or polyp, in the colon. These growths are usually benign or noncancerous but can become cancerous if untreated.

Symptoms usually don’t develop until the later stages of the disease. Six key symptoms include:

• change in bowel habits
• diarrhea
• constipation
• blood in the stool
• cramping or abdominal pain
• unexplained weight loss

Treatments for colorectal cancer include:

• surgery
• chemotherapy
• targeted drug therapy

“Colorectal cancer is on the rise in young people, and it can be quite aggressive,” said Kin. “Early detection is key. We don’t want people assuming that their symptoms are just indigestion or constipation or hemorrhoids — advocate for yourself and get checked.”

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• Vaping does not help most people quit smoking cigarettes, according to a new study.
• People who vape and smoke cigarettes are far less likely to leave nicotine behind than people who only smoke cigarettes.
• While the long-term health effects are unclear, vaping introduces harmful substances into the lungs, promoting inflammation and irritation. Vaping nicotine is also addictive.
• Among the most successful ways to quit vaping and smoking are quitlines and nicotine replacement therapy.

Smoking nicotine-based e-cigarettes has become a widespread alternative to cigarette smoking.

The Centers For Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 11% of adults in the United States ages 18 to 24 were regularly vaping in 2021. Of all U.S. adults over 18, the percentage was about 4.5%.

When compared to older adults, those ages 18 to 44 were more likely to both vape e-cigarettes and smoke traditional cigarettes, the CDC found.

Given the recent rise of the e-cigarette industry, the long-term health effects of vaping remain unknown. 

Many people may believe that vaping can help curb their cigarette smoking habit, but new research suggests this may not be the case.

A study published on March 5 in JAMA Network Open found that people who both vape and smoke are more likely to increase their nicotine dependence.

Quit rates nearly 15% lower among people who vaped daily

Researchers from the Herbert Wertheim School of Public Health and Human Longevity Science and Moores Cancer Center at the University of California San Diego conducted the cohort study.

The study included 6,013 U.S. cigarette smokers, comparing people who smoked with people who also vaped.

For people who vaped on a non-daily basis, the rate at which people were able to quit smoking was 5.3% lower than it was among smokers who did not vape.

For people who vaped daily, the quitting rate was the same as for those who did not vape.

Among those who vaped daily, the rate at which people stopped using both e-cigarettes and tobacco cigarettes was 14.7% lower than people who did not vape at all.

For those who did not vape daily, the quitting rate was 7.2% lower than it was for people who smoked and did not vape at all.

These findings suggest that vaping doesn’t help people transition from cigarettes.

Health risks associated with vaping

As indicated by the new study’s findings, vaping is at least as addictive as cigarette smoking.

When a person vapes, aerosolized e-liquid or “vape juice” is released into the lungs.

When this mixture of nicotine, flavorings, propylene glycol, and other substances enter the lungs, inflammation and irritation may occur.

E-liquids may also contain random heavy metals such as tin, lead, nickel, cadmium, and chemicals, including acetaldehyde and formaldehyde.

Vaping mist carries tiny particles of these foreign materials into the lungs, which can become embedded in lung tissue.

While the long-term effects of vaping are not well understood, there are already several areas of concern about the potential health impacts.

In addition, some research suggests vaping may be a driver of cardiovascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

“There have been cases of vaping associated with lung injury and respiratory failure,” Jimmy Johannes, MD, pulmonologist and critical care medicine specialist at Memorial Care Long Beach Medical Center in Long Beach, CA, told Healthline. Johannes wasn’t involved in the new study.

“There is also a potential risk that some vaping products may have adulterants,” he told Healthline.

Such substances may include vitamin E acetate, which has been associated with lung injuries, and bacterial and fungal products.

Quitlines may help with smoking, vaping cessation

Although cigarette smoking is on the decline, vaping’s popularity remains strong.

With so many people vaping, identifying promising strategies for helping people leave e-cigarettes behind has become a priority.

Research funded by the American Heart Association (AHA) and published in the American Journal of Preventive Medicine found that “quitlines” are highly effective at helping people achieve vaping cessation.

The large randomized trial found that 45%, or nearly half, of all participants, had quit vaping and continued to be abstinent three months beyond the conclusion of the trial.

A quitline is a phone number one can call for live support when attempting to quit vaping.

In the case of the AHA study, quitlines provided various combinations of:

• coaching
• nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) shipped to the caller
• mHealth, text-based links to quit resources such as videos, podcasts, and online educational materials.

NRT may consist of several substitutes for nicotine, including lozenges, nicotine patches, inhalers, gum, and sprays.

One advantage of NRTs supplied by quitlines is that these often expensive items may be provided to the caller for free.

“NRT is a great tool to help patients quit smoking,” said Ozan Toy, MD, MPH, of Telapsychiatry. Toy wasn’t involved in the new study.

“You are essentially replacing the most addictive component of cigarettes, which is the nicotine, but avoiding the toxic chemicals that people are exposed to through smoking,” Toy said.

He told Healthline that NRT gum or patches in conjunction with medication like varenicline can help break a vaping or smoking habit.

Alison Tarlow, PsyD, chief clinical officer at Boca Recovery Center, FL, explained how switching to e-cigarettes increased her consumption of nicotine. She described there being more “social acceptance” of vaping compared to smoking. Tarlow was likewise not involved in the study.

Tarlow shared she finally quit vaping by switching from nicotine to a strawberry-kiwi e-cigarette. She found satisfaction in the act of vaping but did not crave the e-cigarette and eventually fell out of the habit altogether.

Takeaway

Recent research finds that vaping nicotine is not an effective way to quit smoking cigarettes.

People who vape and smoke cigarettes are less likely to quit than people who only smoke cigarettes.

Vaping itself promotes nicotine dependency, and is associated with various potential health hazards, though the long-term health effects of vaping are still unknown.