Among the risk factors, smoking is considered the main cause, but there are still many misconceptions about the real health impact of quitting smoking.
Cigarette smoke contains more than 7,000 chemicals, many of which have been shown to cause cancer, says Dr Manav Manchanda, a lung specialist at Artemis Hospital (India). Even after stopping the drug, some damage to lung tissue and genetic changes still exist, putting the risk of lung cancer never returning to the level of a non-smoker."
How does the body recover when quitting medicine?
According to the American Cancer Society, positive changes begin immediately after stopping smoking:
After 5 years: The risk of lung cancer begins to decrease significantly.
After 10 - 15 years: The risk is almost half lower than that of people who continue to smoke.
However, for people who have been smoking for many years, the risk still exists. Research by Johns Hopkins Medicine emphasizes that early drug withdrawal is a key factor in minimizing harm.
No smoking can still cause lung cancer
According to the UK National Institutes of Health, many other factors besides smoking can also lead to lung cancer, including:
Air pollution continues.
radon accumulates indoors.
Genetic factors increase sensitivity.
Passive cigarette smoke from others.
This shows that regular health screening is necessary for everyone, not just smokers.
Measures to protect lung health
Dr. Albert Rizzo, Medical Director of the American Lung Association, recommends: Active discontinuation is just the beginning. Maintaining lung health requires combining a healthy lifestyle, avoiding harmful agents and monitoring health regularly".
Important steps include:
Through screening, people aged 50 - 80 who used to smoke a lot took a low-dose CT scan to detect cancer early.
Live a healthy lifestyle, eat lots of vegetables and fruits, exercise regularly, and maintain a reasonable weight.
Reduce exposure to toxic substances, avoid polluted environments and dangerous chemicals at home and at work.
Monitor periodically, see a doctor to promptly handle respiratory problems.
The core message of World Lung Cancer Day 2025 is early action to protect the lungs. Quitting smoking today not only significantly reduces the risk of cancer but also improves the quality of life, helping you breathe easier and live longer in health.
