Smokers face an increased risk of lung cancer, which can be deadly. The chemicals in cigarettes are highly toxic, and many have been shown to be cancer-causing agents. Those exposed to secondhand smoke are also at increased risk for lung cancer. The best way to avoid this risk is to stop smoking today. Talk to a medical professional about strategies and medications that will help you quit.
Smoking and Lung Cancer
According to the National Cancer Institute, smoking is the single biggest cause of preventable death in the United States. NCI states that cigarette smoking causes 87 percent of Lung Cancer. Lung cancer is a particularly deadly form of cancer. It is the leading cause of cancer death in both men and women.
Chemicals in Cigarettes
The National Cancer Institute has cataloged more than 4,000 harmful chemicals in cigarettes. This number includes more than 60 cancer-causing compounds. These chemicals include tar, carbon monoxide, arsenic and lead. Smoking negatively affects every major organ in the body. A smoker's risk of developing lung disease depends on the amount of time that she has smoked, the frequency of the smoking, and the number of cigarettes she smokes each day.
Secondhand Smoke and Lung Cancer
The danger is not limited to the smoker. Inhaling secondhand smoke on a regular basis also increases the risk of developing lung cancer. The National Cancer institute reports that second hand smoke is considered a carcinogen, and that 3,000 lung cancer deaths a year are due to secondhand smoke.
The Benefits of Quitting
The only way to prevent the risk of lung cancer that is associated with cigarette smoking is to quit. The National Cancer Institute points out that the earlier you quit the more positive the impact will be on your health. People who quit before they are 50 years old reduce their risk of dying in the next 15 years by half.
Talk to a Medical Professional
If you are concerned about the effect of cigarettes on your lungs, or want to know more about the connection between cigarette smoking and lung cancer, talk to your doctor. He can tell you about the risks associated with a smoking habit, and help you come up with a strategy for quitting altogether.
Tags: National Cancer, cigarette smoking, risk lung, risk lung cancer, associated with, Cancer Institute