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| normal after about 15 years. The risk of stroke also returns to that of
non-smokers within 5-15 years of quitting. Lung cancer is the leading cause
of cancer death in both men and women and by far the most significant risk
factor for the development of lung cancer is cigarette smoking. After quitting,
the risk for developing lung cancer (and cancer of the pancreas) gradually
declines until, within 10 years, the risk is 30-50% below that of a per-son
who continues to smoke. The risk for developing cancers of the mouth, throat,
esophagus, bladder and cervix lessens significantly 5 years after quitting.
Quitting also sig-nificantly reduces the risk of emphysema, chronic bronchitis,
acute bronchitis and pneumo-nia and improves lung function.
Overall, after 10-15 years of quitting, a previous smokers risk of
premature death approaches that of a person who never smoked. |
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