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A ray of hope for smokers!

ANI | Updated: May 30, 2018 14:42 IST

Washington D.C. [U.S.A.], May 30 (ANI): Just because you stopped smoking years ago doesn't mean you're out of the woods when it comes to developing lung cancer. However, there is still a ray of hope.
According to a study conducted by the Vanderbilt University Medical Center, the risk of lung cancer drops substantially within five years of quitting.
"If you smoke, now is a great time to quit," said first author Hilary Tindle. "The fact that lung cancer risk drops relatively quickly after quitting smoking, compared to continuing smoking, gives new motivation".
Five years after quitting, the risk of developing lung cancer in former heavy smokers dropped by 39 percent compared to current smokers and continued to fall as time went on. Yet even 25 years after quitting, their lung-cancer risk remained over threefold higher compared to people who had never smoked.
"While the importance of smoking cessation cannot be overstated, former heavy smokers need to realize that the risk of lung cancer remains elevated for decades after they smoke their last cigarette, underscoring the importance of lung cancer screening," said senior author Matthew Freiberg.
The findings from the study are published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. (ANI)