Simple Facts of Smoking - Lung Cancer

Built-up in the body over a long period of time, smoking caused cancers have distinct stages that peak in smokers between the ages of 55 years and 65 years old. Smoking causes almost immediate changes within the lungs, shortly after they have come into contact with carcinogenic chemicals (chemicals that cause cancer). Soon after their first exposure, abnormal cells begin to appear within the main breathing tubes. These cells are accelerated in growth through the continued exposure to these dangerous chemical substances (caused through smoking). Some of these cells will become cancerous and others will form into small tumors.

There are two Main Types of Lung Cancer

The first is Non-Small Cell Cancer that consists of three different types: Squamous Cell Carcinoma, Ademocarcinoma and Large Cell Carcinoma.

The second is Small Cell Cancer, also referred to as (Oat Cell Cancer). This is a faster spreading cancer than the Non-Small Cell type and is usually contributed to over 20% of all lung cancer cases.

Key Facts about Lung Cancer

1. It is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world, with more than 1.8 million cases diagnosed every year.

2. The highest rate of detection for men is in Central and Eastern Europe, while for women the highest rate of detection is in North America. The lowest rate of detection can be found within the Middle African Countries.

3. It is the second most diagnosed cancer in men after prostate cancer, with around 215,000 new cases being diagnosed every year in the USA, and around 25,000 new cases being diagnosed every year in the United Kingdom.

4. Of the 215,000 new cases which are diagnosed every year in the USA, around 85% will die within the first five years of diagnoses.

5. Current or former cigarette smokers make up for over 80% of all lung cancer deaths in both men and women over the age of 55 years, and is on the rise.

6. Smoking is the cause of over 25% of all cancer deaths in the world, with over 32% of deaths occurring in men, and 25% in women.

7. Every year a higher percentage of men are diagnosed with lung cancer than women.

8. A man who smokes up to two packets of cigarettes a day, has more than 25 times higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer than a non-smoker.

9. Cancers mortality rate can be heavily reduced through its early detection and treatment.

10. It is never to late to stop smoking as within the first 30 minutes of smoking the last cigarette the bodies organs begin to benefit.

Philip Albert Edmonds-Hunt is from the County of Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom. He has travelled most of Europe, and he has lived in Spain on more than one occasion. Philip has also travelled much of the USA and now lives and works as a Freelance Writer and English Teacher in Mexico. He is the owner of "The Oxford Quill," a small but reliable business offering a range of services such as, "Professional Article Writing, 'Proofreading, and Website Design." Philip's business also offers an extensive selection of professionally written e-books. If you are interested in reading more about how smoking can damage your bodies organs, or if you are having problems quitting smoking, check out: https://sites.google.com/site/theoxfordquill/stop-smoking

How Long After You Quit Smoking Before You Are Not at Risk For Lung Cancer?

The earlier on in life you stop smoking, the less at risk you are from developing some degree of lung cancer during your lifespan. However, it is difficult to predict exactly when and from what degree of lung cancer you may or may not suffer. Numerous factors need to be considered such as: the age when you began smoking, how long you smoked for, the number of cigarettes you smoked everyday, and how deeply you inhaled while smoking.

Cutting down smoking certainly helps cut the risk of developing lung cancer, but it is not the same as actually giving up all together. An ex-heavy smoker is more at risk of developing lung cancer than an ex-occasional smoker, who is still more at risk of developing the disease than someone who has never smoked before. When smoking is either cut down or stopped all together, the benefits to the body are almost immediate, showing that it is never too late to give-up smoking even after many years.

Statistics show that the risk of developing some degree of lung cancer for an active smoker, is between 10% and 15%. However, this is reduced considerably by between 70% and 80% once the smoker stops. The benefits to the body begin within the first 30 minutes of smoking the last cigarette, as the blood pressure lowers itself to a normal level, together with the carbon monoxide in the lungs.

Within the first 24 hours, the risk of having a heart attack reduces, and within 48 hours, the nerve endings begin to grow again. Both the ability to smell and taste also improve at this time. Between one month and three months, the blood circulation improves, and the lungs begin to function better. The worst of the nicotine symptoms also tend to subside during this period.

Within nine months, there is a noticeable improvement with problems such as: coughing, sinus congestion, fatigue, and shortness of breath. During the next five years, the bodies recuperation continues to improve at a noticeable rate, and the probability of a relapse is considerably less with time. Between five and ten years, the risk of a heart attack also reduces to nearly that of a non-smoker.

At the five to ten-year period, the risk of developing some degree of lung cancer drops to one-half of that of an active smoker, together with a reduction in the risk of developing cancers such as: mouth, throat, esophagus, bladder, kidney, and pancreas. Within 15 years, the risk of suffering a heart attack is about the same as that of a non-smoker, as is the risk of developing lung cancer.

Although the average bodies recuperation period takes up to 15 years before the risk of developing some degree of lung cancer reduces to that of a non-smoker, previous considerations must be take into account. It takes courage and determination to give up smoking, and a 15 year recuperation period really is worth the effort to bring down the risk of developing lung cancer to that of a non-smoker.

Philip Albert Edmonds-Hunt is from the County of Oxfordshire in the United Kingdom. He has travelled most of Europe, and he has lived in Spain on more than one occasion. Philip has also travelled much of the USA and now lives and works as a Freelance Writer and English Teacher in Mexico. He is the owner of "The Oxford Quill," a small but reliable business offering a range of services such as, "Professional Article Writing, Proofreading, and Website Design." If you are interested in reading about how to treat lung cancer, check out: https://sites.google.com/site/theoxfordquill/how-to-treat-lung-cancer-caused-by-melanoma