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Would Smoking Consistently For 3 Years Lead To Lung Cancer?

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Posted on Fri, 3 Nov 2017
Question: I have a question:


I smoked for 6 years from 19-25 about half a pack a day. I am 29 now and haven’t smoked for 3 years.


What are my chances of developing pancreatic cancer?


Lung cancer?


Should I be worried? Can my body heal this since I stopped at a young age?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Very high risk. Risk will come down on quitting smoking.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. The chances of developing lung cancer or pancreatic cancer in your case is quite high. However, the risk would come down significantly if you give up smoking.

I hope that you are aware that cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. In the United States, cigarette smoking is linked to about 80% to 90% of lung cancers. It is also one of the most important risk factors for pancreatic cancer. The risk of getting pancreatic cancer is about twice as high among smokers compared to those who have never smoked. About 20% to 30% of pancreatic cancers are thought to be caused by cigarette smoking.

Rather than being worried, you should quit smoking. It might be advisable to visit a rehab center to help you quit. Quitting smoking will help you heal. It will take time nevertheless.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (1 minute later)
I quit 3 years ago. what is my risk if I never pick it up again?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (14 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Risk will not increase unless you start smoking again.

Detailed Answer:
If you have quit and do not reinitiate smoking again, your risk will gradually decline and in a few years would drop down significantly, reaching risks levels almost similar to that of an average individual.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (4 minutes later)
both my risk of pancreatic cancer and lung cancer will drop back to that of normal non smokers since I quit so early (under 30)?

I heard if you quit before 30 that your chances of lung cancer go down by 90%. that true? does pancreatic cancer also drop to that of a non smoker?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (59 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Yes. You can expect a significant drop in risk as time progresses.

Detailed Answer:
Although the risk will not 'touch' the baseline, it will continuously approach the baseline risk level as the time progresses. Yes, it is true that the risk goes down as high as 90% if you quit early.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (11 minutes later)
I heard a majority of cancers from smoking come from heavy smokers who have at least 15 pack years. that true?

Also, why do these cancers happen to people who are older? I read the average lung cancer patient is over 65 years of age. Why? I know you can get it at any age but why are a majority older people?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Depends upon the total amount of harm done aka exposure

Detailed Answer:
Yes, that is true.
The people who are older usually have a longer duration of exposure (total pack years of exposure) and that is the reason for them to be more vulnerable. However, you have already stopped and therefore your exposure is not going to go up with the increase in your age. You therefore need not worry.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (19 minutes later)
does that mean my risk of pancreatic cancer also goes down almost back to normal?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Yes

Detailed Answer:
Yes
Note: For further queries related to kidney problems Click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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Would Smoking Consistently For 3 Years Lead To Lung Cancer?

Brief Answer: Very high risk. Risk will come down on quitting smoking. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. The chances of developing lung cancer or pancreatic cancer in your case is quite high. However, the risk would come down significantly if you give up smoking. I hope that you are aware that cigarette smoking is the number one risk factor for lung cancer. In the United States, cigarette smoking is linked to about 80% to 90% of lung cancers. It is also one of the most important risk factors for pancreatic cancer. The risk of getting pancreatic cancer is about twice as high among smokers compared to those who have never smoked. About 20% to 30% of pancreatic cancers are thought to be caused by cigarette smoking. Rather than being worried, you should quit smoking. It might be advisable to visit a rehab center to help you quit. Quitting smoking will help you heal. It will take time nevertheless. Let me know if I could help further. Regards