A comprehensive study has revealed that quitting smoking at any age significantly lowers the risk of cancer, with the most significant decline observed after the first decade of giving up tobacco. The research, based on an analysis of medical data from nearly 3 million Koreans, demonstrates that the likelihood of developing cancer is halved in individuals who abstain from smoking for at least 15 years compared to those who continue to smoke.
The study, led by Dr. Jin-Kyoung Oh at the National Cancer Center near Seoul, focused on health examinations conducted from 2002 onwards, tracking cancer cases, including lung, liver, stomach, and colorectal tumors until 2019. Among the findings, lung cancer risk showed a remarkable 42% reduction among quitters, with smaller declines of 27%, 20%, and 14% for liver, colorectal, and stomach cancers, respectively.
The study underscores the long-term benefits of quitting smoking, emphasizing that individuals who quit before middle age experience more significant reductions in cancer risk. Smokers who quit before the age of 50 demonstrated a 57% decrease in lung cancer risk over the follow-up period, while those who quit at 50 or older experienced a 40% reduction.
Cancer, responsible for over a quarter of annual deaths in the UK, is strongly linked to smoking, causing various cancers affecting the lungs, bladder, stomach, and other organs. Tobacco remains the leading preventable cause of cancer and death in the country.
Professor Robert West from University College London highlighted the study’s crucial insights, emphasizing the importance of quitting as early as possible. West noted that the risk of cancer decreases gradually after quitting, and younger individuals who quit smoking gain more years of a healthier life. The findings emphasize the clear health benefits of quitting smoking at any age, encouraging individuals to embark on the journey to quit and seek evidence-based specialist support for more successful outcomes.
