I smoked from age 19 to 25. What are my chances of getting cancer?

Question

Or any of the other diseases associated with smoking? I don't smoke anymore.

Answer 1

Smoking contributes to many problems which you should be proud that by quitting you have pretty much eliminated a lot. One concern is small cell cancer of your lungs because it is caused by smoke. That is a serious danger of second hand smoke because even people who aren't smoking are affected. I had a family member pass away from that, and while learning about it I realized the danger it imposes, and how a person might not otherwise get cancer, except that smoking actually causes it and can appear later on. My advise to myself is stay healthy, don't stress yourself out over anything, and watch the health of your lungs also. Candels, insence, perfume, all pouluting to the lungs. I pay attention to things now, and hopefully we will all learn and live.

Answer 2

Obviously the chances are higher than they would be if you've never smoked, but if you quit after only six years, the chances of getting smoke-related diseases are still somewhat slim. The risk doesn't start to get really high until after 10 years of smoking. I can't give you an exact percentage, because I'm not a doctor, and even if I was, I don't have your medical file.

Answer 3

Slim, the fact that you have quit narrows your chances of contracting anything harmful from smoking, as you only smoked for about 6yrs, your chances look good. I wouldn't worry too much, your doing the right thing now. Well done too you!!

Answer 4

there will be a greater chance but you quit young enough that your lungs should heal back up and be very nearly in perfect health depending on how much you smoked. We all have some risk of cancer but people who quit at your age live a decade longer than people who quit at 35

http://health.yahoo.com/topic/smoking/motivation/tooldoc/healthwise/zu1125;_ylt=Aoy2hPZgeslZwJ9RqbCvofLCtcUF

Answer 5

CONGRADULATIONS - After smoking for 6 years at least now you have stopped smoking and it is very good thing to happen to you. Now never touch the cigrettee and most probably will not get affected by any disease.

However, I like to tell you the risks of Smoking for your future reference-

Smoking is recognized as the leading preventable cause of death, causing or contributing to the deaths of approximately 430,700 Americans each year. Anyone with a smoking habit has an increased chance of lung, cervical, and other types of cancer; respiratory diseases such as emphysema, asthma, and chronic bronchitis; and cardiovascular disease, such as heart attack, high blood pressure, stroke, and atherosclerosis (narrowing and hardening of the arteries). The risk of stroke is especially high in women who take birth control pills.

Smoking can damage fertility, making it harder to conceive, and it can interfere with the growth of the fetus during pregnancy. It accounts for an estimated 14% of premature births and 10% of infant deaths. There is some evidence that smoking may cause impotence in some men.

Because smoking affects so many of the body's systems, smokers often have vitamin deficiencies and suffer oxidative damage caused by free radicals. Free radicals are molecules that steal electrons from other molecules, turning the other molecules into free radicals and destabilizing the molecules in the body's cells.

Smoking is recognized as one of several factors that might be related to a higher risk of hip fractures in older adults.

Studies reveal that the more a person smokes, the more likely he is to sustain illnesses such as cancer, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema. But even smokers who indulge in the habit only occasionally are more prone to these diseases.

Some brands of cigarettes are advertised as "low tar," but no cigarette is truly safe. If a smoker switches to a low-tar cigarette, he is likely to inhale longer and more deeply to get the chemicals his body craves. A smoker has to quit the habit entirely in order to improve his health and decrease the chance of disease.

Though some people believe chewing tobacco is safer, it also carries health risks. People who chew tobacco have an increased risk of heart disease and mouth and throat cancer. Pipe and cigar smokers have increased health risks as well, even though these smokers generally do not inhale as deeply as cigarette smokers do. These groups haven't been studied as extensively as cigarette smokers, but there is evidence that they may be at a slightly lower risk of cardiovascular problems but a higher risk of cancer and various types of circulatory conditions.

Recent research reveals that passive smokers, or those who unavoidably breathe in second-hand tobacco smoke, have an increased chance of many health problems such as lung cancer and asthma, and in children, sudden infant death syndrome.-

Answer 6

Hi. Generally only the very unlucky catch this. Only the good die young. Inhaling passive-smoking is what really kills. You probably won't die, but all your friends that didn't smoke may be unfortunate in that way, especially those who are prone to illness.

Answer 7

Well every cigarette you smoke increases your chance of getting cancer but since you stopped your lunges cannot get any worse!

Answer 8

You might have a bigger chance in having cancer... why did you start smoking anyway?

Answer 9

You will be ok... God bless you for stopping Good luck Grant M in Pennsylvania

Answer 10

It depends how much you smoke...and emphazima.