Lung cancer – high risk even after quitting smoking

Smoking is the greatest danger to the lungs. In the USA alone, 85 percent of lung cancer deaths were smokers or were exposed to tobacco smoke as passive smokers. It is not without reason that far-reaching smoking bans have been implemented in recent decades. In addition, the issue of "smoking as a health hazard" is very present in the public eye. There is hardly anyone who is not aware of the dangers of tobacco consumption. However, less is known about how long after quitting smoking there is an increased risk of lung cancer and which factors contribute to this.

Identify risk factors for lung cancer

After quitting smoking, the body needs an average of ten years to halve the risk of lung cancer compared to a non-smoker. This depends on the length and amount of tobacco consumption. For example, a heavy smoker is someone who has smoked for 30 packs. This can be several packs a day over a short period of time or one pack a day over a long period of time. The risk remains the same. The same applies to passive smokers. Although not as severe as active smoking, passive tobacco consumption is poison for the lungs. Family predisposition is also taken into account. In other words, if you have close relatives who suffer from lung cancer or have died, your own risk of developing lung cancer increases. The environment plays a role as another risk factor. For example, a high concentration of radon in the soil promotes tumor growth in the lungs. This natural soil gas occurs in varying concentrations throughout Germany (see www.bfs.de). If preventive measures such as renovation work in the house and proper ventilation are taken, the radon level and thus the risk of possible health problems can be significantly reduced. It becomes problematic when increased radon levels and tobacco consumption coincide. The same applies when dealing with other carcinogenic substances such as asbestos. Wearing protective masks when handling these or similar toxic substances is therefore strongly recommended.

Far-reaching consequences of smoking

But it is not only the lungs that are damaged by smoking. cardiovascular system is severely affected by regular tobacco consumption. It takes one year after quitting smoking for the risk of coronary heart disease to halve. It takes five years for the risk of stroke to fall back to that of a non-smoker and after 15 years for the risk of coronary heart disease to return to normal. As for the risk of lung cancer, it takes ten years for it to halve compared to a non-smoker.

Early detection of lung cancer is important

In most cases, lung cancer is only detected when the tumor has reached a dangerous size and the first typical symptoms appear. Detecting a lung tumor early can be vital. Therefore, patients at risk - active smokers between 55 and 80 years of age and those who have quit within the last 15 years, as well as smokers with a family history - should have their Examine your lungs regularly In addition, smokers who quit smoking significantly improve the health consequences of cardiovascular disease through a healthy lifestyle. Healthy Nutrition and sufficient exercise help with regeneration. Targeted programs such as nicotine replacement products, medication and self-help groups can make it easier to give up smoking. Talk to your Doctor about it. For more information, see www.rauch-frei.info.