Sustained smoking cessation was associated with a reduced risk of many cancers, particularly when quitting occurred before the age of 50, according to a large population-based study published in JAMA Network Open.
The study followed over two million Korean participants over more than 13 years to investigate the time course of cancer risk with time elapsed since quitting smoking. The study found that smokers who completely quit had a 17% lower risk of any cancer compared to those that continuously smoked. Decreased cancer risk for complete quitters was observed in several cancers; including lung, liver, stomach and colorectal.
The researchers reported that although cancer risk was reduced by a greater degree if smoking cessation occurred before the age of 50, quitting at any age was also associated with reduction in cancer risk.
Smoking remains a serious threat to global health, as it is linked to more than a dozen cancers, including lung cancer that causes more deaths globally than any other cancer, according to the National Cancer Institute. Nearly 9 out of 10 lung cancer deaths are caused by smoking cigarettes or secondhand smoke, according to the CDC.
Smoking can cause cancer in nearly every part of the body. Some cancers linked with smoking include lung, colon, cervix, blood, kidney and pancreas; to name a few.
The harmful effects of smoking are not limited to just cancer. Smoking increases the risk of heart disease and stroke by two to four times, according to the CDC. Smoking and the toxins associated with it damage blood vessels making them narrower, which ultimately can lead to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.
The detrimental effects of smoking are not limited to just those who smoke packs of cigarettes daily. Even smoking fewer than five cigarettes a day can result in cardiovascular disease, according to the CDC.
Smoking also damages airways, which can lead to difficulty breathing and many lung diseases. Examples of lung diseases caused or potentially triggered by smoking include emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Smokers are 13 times more likely to die of chronic obstructive lung disease than nonsmokers according to the CDC. Quitting smoking can slow and in some cases reverse the progression of these diseases leading to better quality of life.
Smoking cessation can also uplift mental health. Nicotine addiction from smoking cigarettes often results in stress and anxiety in those attempting to quit. Quitting smoking can enhance self-esteem, by allowing individuals to break free from the constrains of addiction and providing more control of overall health.
Smoking also poses a real toll on finances both for the individual and the greater public. The average cost for a pack of cigarettes in America is $8, with some states pricing packs at nearly $12. This can drain finances quickly, particularly for those that smoke regularly. By quitting, individuals could save money and also reduce healthcare costs associated with smoking-related illnesses.
Cigarette smoking cost the United States more than $600 billion in 2018, including more than $240 billion in healthcare spending and nearly $372 billion in lost productivity, according to the CDC. With more than 28 million American adults currently smoking, the costs savings from smoking cessation would be enormous if more Americans kicked the habit.
Smoking cessation provides a real key to unlock a healthier future. Quitting reduces the risk of many cancers, improves cardiovascular and respiratory health, enhances one's mental well-being and can even be beneficial to one's bank account.