According to ACS, smoking is the largest preventable cause of cancer in the United States. The most important—and straightforward—thing you can do for your health is to quit smoking. But we all know that quitting is not an easy task, so you may need to enlist some help.
Thirty percent of all cancer deaths are attributed to smoking. It accounts for 87% of deaths due to lung cancer, a disease that kills more people each year than breast, colon and prostate cancers combined. Smoking also increases the risk of developing several other cancers, including cancers of the mouth, nasal cavity, esophagus, stomach, liver, pancreas, kidney, bladder, uterine cervix and myeloid leukemia. In 1993, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency declared tobacco a Group A carcinogen, meaning that it is a known cause of cancer and there is no safe level of exposure. Second-hand exposure to tobacco can also have deadly consequences. Even if you have been a smoker for years, quitting can lower your risk of developing lung cancer and other associated complications.
But nearly one in four Americans is still smoking.
If you don’t smoke, don’t start. Have conversations with your children about the risks of smoking and make it known that you do not approve of it. Tobacco is an extremely addictive substance, and most smokers become hooked during adolescence. Try to avoid places like restaurants or bars where smoking is permitted to avoid inhaling second-hand smoke.
If you do smoke, develop a plan to quit. Try not to expose others to smoke, as you could be increasing their risk of developing lung cancer. There are several treatments that may help you stop smoking, such as nicotine replacement, antidepressants and counseling. If you need help quitting, speak with your doctor. There are several websites devoted to smoking cessation that may aide you in developing a plan that will work for you.