Break Free and Be Tobacco-Free
November marks both Lung Cancer and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Awareness Month – two of the most common, yet preventable respiratory conditions. Let’s kick off Lung Cancer and COPD Awareness Month by examining the single most important step you can take to prevent these diseases – quitting smoking.
Tobacco and Lung Disease
Over 16 million Americans suffer from smoking-related diseases, while worldwide, tobacco use leads to more than 7 million deaths annually. Tobacco is a leading cause of both lung cancer and COPD. Approximately 85% of lung cancer cases are linked to smoking, and COPD, which includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is overwhelmingly caused by long-term tobacco use. Smoking causes damage to both your airways and your lungs, leading to chronic breathing problems and increasing the risk of cancer. Even exposure to secondhand smoke can significantly increase the risk of lung cancer and COPD in non-smokers. According to the CDC, non-smokers exposed to secondhand smoke have a 20-30% higher chance of developing lung cancer.
Benefits of Quitting
While smoking is a major risk factor for lung disease, the good news is that quitting at any stage has both immediate and long-term health benefits:
- Reduced Risk of Lung Cancer – The risk of lung cancer decreases dramatically after quitting, and within 10-15 years of being tobacco-free, the risk can approach that of a non-smoker.
- Improved Lung Function – Smokers who quit can notice an improvement in breathing and lung capacity within just a few months. For those with early-stage COPD, quitting can slow the progression of the disease and improve quality of life.
- Better Immune Function – Smoking weakens the immune system, making the body more susceptible to infections, including respiratory infections. Quitting smoking immediately improves immune system function, with those improvements increasing the longer you stay tobacco free.
- Increased Life Expectancy – Smokers who quit before the age of 40 reduce their risk of dying from smoking-related diseases by about 90%.
Steps to Becoming Tobacco-Free
Committing to a tobacco-free life is challenging, but it’s a crucial step toward protecting your lungs. Here are a few strategies to help you quit:
- Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) – Over-the-counter NRT products such as nicotine patches, gum, or lozenges can help manage withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings.
- Prescription Medication – Talk to your healthcare provider about medications that can reduce nicotine dependence and make quitting smoking easier.
- Practice Stress Management Techniques – Stress is a common trigger for smoking, so learning relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or exercise can help you manage urges.
- Seek Support – Enlist the help of friends, family, or support groups. Many organizations offer free counseling services, hotlines, and online communities to help individuals quit smoking.
If you’re looking to quit tobacco, see if your Motivation Alliance portal offers the Tobacco Free Interactive Learning Program! It includes essential information about smoking-related health issues, along with a 21-day tobacco log to keep yourself accountable.
Raising Awareness and Taking Action
With both Lung Cancer and COPD Awareness campaigns in full swing, November serves as a great opportunity to reflect on the dangers of smoking and the importance of prevention. By spreading awareness and supporting loved ones in their journey to quit, you can help reduce the prevalence of tobacco-related lung diseases. Taking this step not only reduces your risk of lung cancer and COPD but also contributes to a healthier and happier future.
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Resources:
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022, July 29). Diseases and death. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/fast_facts/diseases-and-death.html#:~:text=Smoking%20is%20the%20leading%20cause%20of%20preventable%20death.,diseases%20related%20to%20tobacco%20use%20by%202030.%203
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 15). Health problems caused by secondhand smoke. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/secondhand-smoke/health.html#:~:text=Secondhand%20smoke%20causes%20lung%20cancer%20Adults%20who%20do,U.S.%20adults%20who%20do%20not%20smoke.%201%203
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024, May 15). How to quit smoking. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/about/how-to-quit.html
Harms of cigarette smoking and health benefits of quitting. NCI. (2017, December 19). https://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/causes-prevention/risk/tobacco/cessation-fact-sheet
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2022, May 28). 10 Ways to Resist Tobacco Cravings. Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/quit-smoking/in-depth/nicotine-craving/art-20045454
Quitting smoking. Cancer Trends Progress Report. (2024, March). https://progressreport.cancer.gov/prevention/tobacco/quitting_smoking#:~:text=For%20example%2C%2010-15%20years%20after%20quitting%2C%20the%20risk,the%20risk%20of%20lung%20cancer%20decreases%20even%20further.
World Health Organization. (2023, June 26). Lung cancer. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/lung-cancer#:~:text=Smoking%20is%20the%20leading%20cause%20of%20lung,cancer%2C%20responsible%20for%20approximately%2085%25%20of%20all%20cases.
Disclaimer:
We want you to be well and to live your best life. The content in this blog is provided for the purposes to educate and entertain you: our very important reader. It is not intended as medical advice or as substitute for medical advice from a trained healthcare professional.
If you have a medical condition or are under the care of a medical provider, please always seek the advice of a qualified medical professional before undertaking a new health care regimen. To that point, never disregard medical advice or delay treatment for a medical condition because of something you read on this site.
Listen to your care providers as they know you and your conditions best. Thank you for reading!
The Team at BSDI