Smoking And Cancer- The Irrefutable Link

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Smoking And Cancer- The Irrefutable Link

It’s Never Too Late To Stop Smoking

Smoking is the number one cause of cancer in the world. The good news is, it's never too late to stop. You don't have to go it all on your own; there's help available.

It’s Possible To Quit Smoking

Quitting may not be easy, but it is possible. About 2 out of 3 adults who smoke want to quit. More than half of them have tried to quit at least once in the past year. Today in the United States, about 3 out of 5 people who smoked have quit for good.

Some people think that because most people quit smoking “cold turkey” that this means it is the best way to quit. But research shows that people who use tobacco cessation counseling or medication increase their chance of quitting for good—and that using both counseling and medication increases that chance even more. However, only 1 out of 3 smokers use these proven cessation treatments when trying to quit smoking.

The fact is, if more smokers used proven suspension treatments, more smokers would quit for good. This is why Dr. Shyamali Singhal, surgical oncologist and founder of H&B,  encourages people who smoke to get help to quit smoking. Talk to your doctor, get counseling, call quitlines, get information online or on their phones, and use FDA-approved cessation medications or nicotine replacement products.

Reasons And Motives To Stop Smoking

While we all can educate our friends and family about the harms of smoking and the benefits of cessation and inspire them to quit smoking, we know they need to find their own reason to quit smoking. Maybe they want to spend their money on something besides cigarettes? Maybe they do not want to smell like smoke anymore. Maybe they want to be healthy enough to play with their grandchildren and be around to see them grow up.

Cancer Risks Connected To Smoking

Our bodies are meant to deal with some damage, but they often can’t cope with the number of harmful chemicals in tobacco smoke. Both the amount you smoke, and the length of time you’ve been smoking affect your cancer risk. The more cigarettes you smoke a day, the higher your risk of cancer, so reducing the number of daily cigarettes you smoke can be a good first step.

But the number of years you spend smoking influences your cancer risk. So it’s necessary to make a plan to stop smoking altogether. Remember, the earlier you stop, the lower your risk of cancer. Everyone who smokes can benefit from stopping, and it’s never too late to stop- even if you’ve smoked for years.

Most people associate lung cancer with tobacco, but did you know there are other cancers that can be caused by smoking? Every time a person takes a puff of a cigarette, 7000 chemicals enter the lungs and spread to other parts of the body, including 69 known carcinogens.

What Types Of Cancer Are Connected To Smoking?

  • Lung cancer

  • Cancers of the mouth, throat, nose, and sinuses

  • Cancers of the esophagus

  • Bladder, kidney, and ureter cancers

  • Liver cancer

  • Cervix and ovary cancer

  • Bowel cancer

  • Acute myeloid leukemia

  • Cancer of the pancreas

  • Stomach cancer

Chemicals in tobacco will also affect people who are exposed to cigarette smoke. Second-hand or passive smoking poses health risks to adults comparable to active smoking and has also been linked with sudden infant death syndrome and asthma in children.

Tips For Quitting Smoking Forever

We know that stopping smoking can be hard. Smoking can be part of a well-established habit, which can be tricky to break. But help is possible to find. More people are quitting smoking every year. Here are our top tips to get you excited about the idea:

  • Choose when to do it. Making a plan improves your odds of doing something. Decide on a date when you will stop smoking and adhere to it.

  • Be ready. Think about what could get in the way of stopping smoking. For instance, what you’ll do if you are with friends who smoke, and plan your responses in advance.

  • Find the system that works for you. There are many powerful stop-smoking medicine treatments out there that might be right for you. 

  • Don’t hesitate to ask for help. Although it is hard, you don’t need to go it alone. Talk to your local stop-smoking service or your doctor. They can give you help and advice.

  • Don't stop trying. It takes most people a few tries before they manage to stop smoking for good, so don’t be disheartened if you’re not successful at first. If one way doesn’t work for you – try another. Don’t be scared to go back to your local service or doctor, they’ll still want to help.

To help with bad breath caused by smoking, before you finally decide to quit for good, choose our Cinnamon Breath Spray, a completely alcohol-free breath refresher made specifically to fight bacteria that cause bad breath while leaving a fresh and lasting taste in your mouth.