Why quitting smoking can be the key to better health

According to a large population study published in the journal JAMA network opened.

The study followed more than two million Korean participants for more than thirteen years to examine the time course of cancer risk in relation to the time elapsed since quitting smoking. The study found that smokers who quit completely had a 17% lower risk of cancer compared to smokers who smoked continuously. A reduced risk of cancer in complete quitters was observed for several types of cancer; including lung, liver, stomach and colorectal diseases.

The researchers reported that although cancer risk was reduced to a greater extent if smoking cessation occurred before age 50, quitting at any age was associated with a reduction in cancer risk.

Smoking remains a serious threat to global health as it is linked to more than a dozen cancers, including lung cancer, which causes more deaths worldwide than any other cancer. National Cancer Institute. Nearly 9 out of 10 lung cancer deaths are caused by cigarette smoking or secondhand smoke, according to the CDC.

Smoking can cause cancer in almost any part of the body. Some cancers linked to smoking include lung, colon, cervical, blood, kidney and pancreas; just to name a few.

The harmful effects of smoking are not limited to cancer. Smoking increases the risk of cardiovascular disease and stroke by two to four times, according to the American newspaper CDC. Smoking and its associated toxins damage blood vessels, causing them to narrow, which can ultimately lead to high blood pressure, heart disease and stroke.

The harmful effects of smoking are not limited to those who smoke packs of cigarettes every day. Even smoking less than five cigarettes a day can lead to cardiovascular disease, according to the newspaper CDC.

Smoking also damages the airways, which can lead to breathing difficulties and many lung diseases. Examples of lung diseases caused or possibly caused by smoking include emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and asthma. Smokers are 13 times more likely to die from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease than nonsmokers CDC. Quitting smoking can slow and in some cases reverse the progression of these diseases, leading to a better quality of life.

Quitting smoking can also improve mental health. Nicotine addiction from cigarette smoking often results in stress and anxiety for those trying to quit. Quitting smoking can increase self-esteem by allowing individuals to break free from the constraints of addiction and gain greater control over their overall health.

Smoking also takes a real toll on finances, both for the individual and the general public. The average costs a pack of cigarettes costs $8 in America, while some states price packs close to $12. This can drain finances quickly, especially for those who smoke regularly. By quitting, individuals can save money and also reduce health care costs associated with smoking-related diseases.

Cigarette smoking cost the United States more than $600 billion in 2018, including more than $240 billion in health care spending and nearly $372 billion in lost productivity, the report said. CDC. With more than 28 million American adults currently smoking, the cost savings from quitting smoking would be enormous if more Americans kicked the habit.

Quitting smoking offers a real key to a healthier future. Quitting reduces the risk of many cancers, improves cardiovascular and respiratory health, improves mental well-being, and can even be good for the bank account.