A recent study conducted in Korea has suggested that quitting smoking before the age of 50 significantly reduces the risk of developing lung cancer compared to quitting after 50. The researchers analyzed data from over 2.9 million individuals aged 30 and older who had undergone consecutive health checks between 2002 and 2019. They found that those who quit smoking had a 17 percent lower risk of all types of cancer compared to those who continued smoking.
Smoking is widely known to be a contributing factor to various types of cancer, including lung, stomach, colorectal, liver, pancreas, and kidney. Cigarette smoke contains harmful poisons that weaken the body’s immune system, making it more difficult to eliminate cancer cells. The study’s findings highlight the importance of quitting smoking as a preventive measure against cancer.
During the approximately seven years after quitting smoking, the researchers observed an increase in cancer risk among the participants. This may be attributed to the fact that individuals who quit smoking during this period had already accumulated significant damage from smoking, referred to as “sick quitters.” These individuals did not become ill because they quit smoking but rather quit smoking because they became sick.
However, the study also revealed encouraging long-term effects of quitting smoking. Participants who completely quit smoking experienced a 17 percent lower risk of cancer compared to those who continued smoking. Although the risk remained elevated for 10 years after quitting, it halved after 15 or more years. Lung cancer risk decreased three years earlier than other types of cancer, and quitting before the age of 50 was associated with a remarkable 57 percent reduction in lung cancer risk compared to quitting at age 50 or older.
The study’s findings emphasize the importance of early smoking cessation and its potential impact on reducing lung cancer risk. Quitting smoking provided a 42 percent risk reduction for lung cancer, 27 percent for liver cancer, 14 percent for stomach cancer, and 20 percent for colorectal cancer compared to continued smoking.
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States, accounting for one in five cancer deaths. Colorectal cancer follows closely, causing one in ten cancer deaths. The American Cancer Society estimates that approximately 238,000 new cases of lung cancer are diagnosed annually in the US, resulting in 127,000 deaths.
There are two main types of lung cancer: small cell and non-small cell. Non-small cell lung cancer is the most common type, accounting for nine out of ten lung cancer diagnoses. It typically grows more slowly and often does not exhibit symptoms until it has advanced. Signs of non-small cell lung cancer include chest pain or discomfort, a persistent cough, difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing up blood, loss of appetite, unintentional weight loss, fatigue or lethargy, trouble swallowing, and swelling in the face or veins in the neck.
Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer. In 2021, approximately 11.5 percent of US adults smoked cigarettes, equivalent to 28.3 million people. When cigarettes are smoked, they release over 5,000 different chemicals into the lungs, which can damage DNA. DNA damage disrupts normal cell growth and behavior, potentially leading to cancer. Furthermore, certain chemicals in cigarettes hinder the repair of DNA damage, further increasing the risk of cancer.
The study’s findings align with previous research that highlighted the benefits of quitting smoking at an early age. A 2004 study following a 50-year study of British doctors found that quitting before the age of 30 could prevent more than 90 percent of the lung cancer risks associated with smoking. Experts also believe that smoking is linked to at least 15 other types of cancer, including mouth and throat, rectum, liver, and pancreas cancer.
In conclusion, the recent study from Korea provides compelling evidence that quitting smoking before the age of 50 significantly reduces the risk of developing lung cancer. The findings highlight the importance of early smoking cessation as a preventive measure against various types of cancer. Quitting smoking not only reduces the risk of lung cancer but also decreases the likelihood of developing liver, stomach, and colorectal cancer. These findings serve as a reminder of the detrimental effects of smoking on overall health and the potential benefits of quitting at an early age.
