Current smokers are less likely to meet recommendations for breast, prostate and colorectal cancer screenings than people who have never smoked, according to results from a recent study published in JAMA Network Open.

“In addition to lung cancer, smoking has been linked to cancer risk at additional sites, including the colorectal tract and cervix, with emerging evidence on other cancer types,” Nina N. Sanford, MD, assistant professor in the department of radiation oncology at the University of Texas Southwestern, and colleagues wrote. “Thus, although smoking cessation remains the most critical cancer prevention behavior, individuals who smoke may potentially derive the greatest benefit from improved cancer screening to detect occult disease at an earlier stage.”