Does anyone know about the litterature on the effect for your health to stop smoking?

Question

What I'm looking for are references on what are your probabilities to develop different form of cancer 10, 15 or 20 years after you've stopped smoking... Thanks

Answer 1

Ex-smokers 'still at risk of lung cancer'-

New research has shown that lung tissue can be permanently damaged by smoking, meaning that smokers who have quit still stand the possibility of getting lung cancer.

The study, from the British Columbia Cancer Research Centre in Vancouver, has shown that smoking can permanently affect the actions of key genes, particularly those that may be involved in cancer susceptibility.

Scientists looked at cell samples from eight current smokers, 12 ex-smokers and 4 non-smokers. They discovered that, after stopping, some gene changes would reverse after being smoke-free for a year or more.

However, a few genes which helped the body repair its DNA had their activity levels reduced from the effects of smoking.

According to the BBC, head of the research Raj Chari said: "Those genes and functions which do not revert to normal levels upon smoking cessation may provide insight into why former smokers still maintain a risk of developing lung cancer."

A spokeswoman from the pressure group Action on Smoking and Health spoke with the BBC, emphasising that quitting smoking still has great health benefits: "Although former smokers do still have a slightly increased risk of lung cancer compared with someone who has never smoked, it is nowhere near as high as the risk of lung cancer to someone who is a current -

However as per another study it is revealed -
Quitting smoking halves your risk of getting lung cancer or heart disease, stoke or chronic lung disease within a few years! After 10 to 15 years, it is the risk of cancer and heart disease drops to the same as a non-smoker, no further Nicotine deposits will accumulate.

Hence it is better to have a check up by amn oncologist and also never take up smoking again, as CANCER IS STILL AN ENIGMA--

Answer 2

An added thing related to your question you may want to check into; I have an understanding that males who have smoked for many years and then quit have some link to developing leukemia. I personally know a few males this has happened with. Coincidence? Its possible, but maybe worth looking into. I would just the same think life without tobacco is better for your health.

Answer 3

Their is no active ingredient in Marijuana that is physically harmful to your body. However, heated matter (smoke) can and will hurt your lungs. This doesn't necessarily mean that it is as harmful as cigarette smoke, like someone had claimed above. As far as mental deterioration, I don't know as much. But what i can tell you is that THC, in marijuana, protects the dieing neurons surrounding mild to severe concussions. Which I am currently suffering from a level 2 concussion and a broken neck. Silly me. I am also skeptical about the cancer thing, however there is currently no cases of cancer, brown lung, or emphysema directly related to Marijuana use.