David Baxter PhD
Late Founder
Why should I quit?
Canadian Cancer Society
06 January 2010
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women in Canada. The more you smoke and the longer you smoke, the more you increase your risk of developing lung cancer.
Smoking can also increase the risk of developing cancer of the bladder, cervix, colon and rectum, esophagus, kidney, larynx, mouth and throat, pancreas, stomach nasal cavity, liver, myelogenous leukemia and some types of ovarian tumours.
Research also shows that there may be a link between smoking and breast cancer risk.
Health benefits of quitting
All kinds of smokers ? men and women, young or old ? can improve their health by quitting. The minute you stop smoking, your body begins to cleanse itself of tobacco poisons. Here?s how:
Quit and reduce the risk of cancer
Quit now and reduce the risk of developing cancer. In general, the longer you don't smoke the more you lower your risk.
For most people, becoming a non-smoker is more of a process than an event. Quitting often takes practice. Many smokers will try several times to quit before they are successful.
Different smokers stop smoking in different ways. The way you quit will depend on your reasons for smoking and how addicted you are to smoking. Some smokers quit ?cold turkey? while others prefer to gradually cut down on cigarettes. There is no one right way to quit.
Getting help to quit
Canadian Cancer Society
06 January 2010
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths for both men and women in Canada. The more you smoke and the longer you smoke, the more you increase your risk of developing lung cancer.
Smoking can also increase the risk of developing cancer of the bladder, cervix, colon and rectum, esophagus, kidney, larynx, mouth and throat, pancreas, stomach nasal cavity, liver, myelogenous leukemia and some types of ovarian tumours.
Research also shows that there may be a link between smoking and breast cancer risk.
Health benefits of quitting
All kinds of smokers ? men and women, young or old ? can improve their health by quitting. The minute you stop smoking, your body begins to cleanse itself of tobacco poisons. Here?s how:
- Within 8 hours, carbon monoxide levels in your body and oxygen levels in your blood increases.
- After 2 days, your sense of smell and taste begin to improve.
- Within 2 weeks to 3 months, your lungs work better making it easier to breathe.
- Within 6 months, coughing, sinus congestion, tiredness and shortness of breath improve.
- After 1 year, your risk of a smoking-related heart attack is reduced by half.
Quit and reduce the risk of cancer
Quit now and reduce the risk of developing cancer. In general, the longer you don't smoke the more you lower your risk.
- Within 10 years of quitting, the overall risk of an ex-smoker dying from lung cancer is cut in half.
- Your risk of cancers of the mouth, throat, larynx, esophagus, bladder and cervix decreases.
For most people, becoming a non-smoker is more of a process than an event. Quitting often takes practice. Many smokers will try several times to quit before they are successful.
Different smokers stop smoking in different ways. The way you quit will depend on your reasons for smoking and how addicted you are to smoking. Some smokers quit ?cold turkey? while others prefer to gradually cut down on cigarettes. There is no one right way to quit.
Getting help to quit
- Our One Step at a Time quit guides can help you quit smoking.
- Smokers' Helpline is a free, confidential telephone service that can help you develop a quit program, offer you support and refer you to services in your community.
