Article archived: February, 2010
As 2010 begins, it's time to list your New Year's resolutions. Now is also a great time to think about your lung health, and what quitting smoking can do for you.
According to Dr. Ethan Argiris, an oncologist at UPMC Cancer Centers, lung cancer kills more men and women than any other cancer — and smoking is the primary culprit.
"Smoking accounts for more than 80% of lung cancer cases," says Dr. Argiris. "This is a very strong and well-documented association. Risk increases with duration and intensity of smoking."
Don't become a statistic: Quit smoking today.
Why should I quit smoking?
- According to the National Institutes of Health, the earlier you start smoking, and the more packs of cigarettes you smoke each day, the higher your risk of lung cancer. The American Cancer Society reports that half of all cigarette smokers will eventually die from the habit.
- Lung cancer isn't the only health risk of smoking. "[Deaths] due to smoking [are] also directly correlated with cardiovascular disease, burn deaths, prenatal conditions, and a host of respiratory conditions," says Dr. Donald Gibala, Executive Director of the Community Health Challenge of Southwestern Pa., a coalition of regional health professionals.
- Dr. Gibala says that smokers also suffer heart attacks, strokes, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema as a direct result of smoking.
- When you smoke, you put your family and friends at risk. "Environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) is also a human carcinogen," says Dr. Gibala. Therefore, people who live or work with smokers are at higher risk of tobacco-related illness or death.
- During flu season, smokers suffer. Because smoking weakens the lungs and the immune system, "smoking increases the risk of pulmonary complications and pneumonia," says Dr. Charles W. Mackett, Associate Professor and Executive Vice Chair in the Department of Family Medicine at UPMC.
- Cigarette smoking can increase your risk of developing other cancers, including esophageal, stomach, bladder, and cervical cancer, according to the American Cancer Society.
How can I quit smoking today?
- "The first step to quit using nicotine and tobacco is a well-planned quitting strategy," says Dr. Gibala. Before you try to quit, you must want to quit, and you must develop a plan to make quitting reality.
- Anticipate challenges. There will be times and situations where you'll be tempted to smoke. Perhaps you always have a cigarette with your morning coffee — or maybe you enjoy lighting up after dinner. The more often you successfully fight cravings, the likelier you are to stay a non-smoker.
- Prepare tools for those times when you're tempted to light up. That might mean calling a friend when you crave a cigarette at work. Or, maybe you'll need to reach for a pack of gum instead of a pack of cigarettes after meals.
- Ask your physician about nicotine replacement products, such as nicotine patches or gum — or prescription drugs that can help reduce cravings.
- Find a "quit coach," or consider attending tobacco cessation classes. Drs. Argiris, Gibala, and Mackett agree that formal quitting assistance can help you reach your goal of staying smoke-free.
- Call a quit line. "We know that quitting can be tough, but residents in Pennsylvania are fortunate to have access to a free quit line — 1-800-Quit-Now (1-800-784-8669)," says, Leanne Schepner, Regional Director of Corporate Relations for the American Cancer Society. The line is available to residents in all states.
- Imagine how much better you'll feel living a smoke-free life. "Within only 20 minutes of finishing our last cigarette, the body begins to forgive us for smoking," says Dr. Gibala. "Our blood pressure goes back down and the temperature of our hands and feet start to return to normal".
- "The lung cancer rate of a former smoker is about half that of a continuing smoker within 10 years of quitting," he adds.
- Consider the grim prognosis for lung cancer. "Only 30% of patients with lung cancer present with early-stage disease," says Dr. Argiris. He notes that most patients are diagnosed when the cancer has already spread throughout the lungs — or to other parts of the body.
- "If you take all patients together, the 5-year survival is about 15%," he says, adding that patients diagnosed with late-stage cancer have a survival rate of only 1-2%.
Resources for quitting smoking
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