Risk of Lung Cancer for Former Smokers

[CJ_A]

Risk of Lung Cancer for Former Smokers

The risk of lung cancer in former smokers is significant. In fact, there are more former smokers than current smokers diagnosed with the disease each year, and the risk remains significantly elevated even 25 years after quitting. That said, the risk decreases with time and it's never too late to quit.

The majority of people who develop lung cancer today are non-smokers. Some people have never smoked (and at least 20 percent of women who develop lung cancer are never smokers), but the majority of people diagnosed today are former smokers.
Lung cancer occurs more often in people who've already kicked the habit, and that act of courage may have occurred well in the past.

I've wondered what my risk were since quitting. I haven't seen much discussion here, I guess because of it's unpleasantry, but after quitting I started reading and thought I'd share this article with you.

Lung cancer is most treatable in the early stages of the disease. When it's discovered early, surgery can offer the chance of a cure. Here's why screening is so important.

Risk of Lung Cancer in Former Smokers 

[Cousin-Itt]

Thank you CJ_A‌   It's so important to have your lungs scanned after quitting.  I have a Low Dose CT every year and will continue to do so 

[Barbscloud]

There have been many discussions here about he importance of lung CT's and quitters here being diagnosed with cancer.  I get mine every year and actually participated in local study many years ago to determine the efficacy of CT vs X-rays.  I think most of us are well aware of the risk even though we quit.  I have two friends who developed lung cancer after they quit - one for 10 years and other for approx 19 years.   Smoking all those years is not going to negate the possibility of being diagnosed.   I had a nodule on my recent CT and have to repeat in 3 months.   I've had nodules before, even during this study many years ago.   My doctor says he's not concerned, but it is always worrisome.  At the same time, I've had CT's and MRI's for other conditions and they spot nodules just about anywhere.  All we can do, is move forward and hope we don't become another statistic.     

[SuzyQ411]

Me too, Cousin-Itt and Barbscloud‌. Getting the resuts on a regular basis brings me peace of mind. plus knowing that the earlier it's detected the greater its cure rate.

 I'm not sure if the low-dose CT program for current and former smokers is a nation-wide thing yet, There are screening sites which do not have equipment that is compatible with the app and patients  then need to be referred to other sites which do have the equipment. Those alternate locations may be well side the local area, however. I live in a rural area and am fortunate that our local hospital was able to initiate this program. 

[SuzyQ411]

Great post CJ_A‌. We are in a rural area and are so fortunate that the hospital and cancer unit were able to work together to get the low-dose CT program into existence. The link below briefly explains their Early Lung Cancer Screening Program, includes some information on eligibility criteria, and demonstrates an interesting calculation of "pack years" relative to amount of life-time smoking for each person. 

Early Lung Cancer Screening Program - Samaritan Health 

[indingrl]

 Thanks for sharing

[sweetplt]

Thank you CJ_A 

[CJ_A]

Greetings SuzyQ411, I actually saw our local hospital advertise the Lung Cancer Screening program on facebook.  They also had a link to the American Lung Association ~ Saved by the Scan program information and "the QUIZ" to see if you were in the high risk  category. https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/saved-by-the-scan/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxLe-lo6J6AIVjoCfCh2RUQ_aEA... 

If age doesn't qualify you, talk to your doctor to get a script for screening and shop around for price. The Low Dose CT scan is affordable even if you're self pay.

[SuzyQ411]

Thanks CJ_A‌ for your response. Actually in our hospital's link I had posted above there's a lot of information you spoke of however it doesn't include a link to the ALA and its quiz (which I will take as I love quizzes for some reason). BTW, I'm already deemed eligible for annual screening and had my first low-dose CT about 6 wks. ago. I'm happy that my insurance covers it. If not insured, our hospital fee for the scan is $90.00.

Thanks again~ Suzy

[Christine13]

Thank you so much!!

[Strudel]

Thank you for posting this article. I had the screening last February (low dose CT scan) after 9 years quit. It discovered lung cancer. I had no symptoms. I had surgery last March to remove my right lower lobe. It was Stage 1 - I was so lucky! If I had not had the screening - who knows when it would have been discovered. Most of the time a person is at Stage 4 when they have symptoms and are diagnosed. 
So - discussing this here is so important! Thanks again! 

[Kdot1st]

Wait... so even if you quit there's a good chance you'll still get cancer no matter how long you've quit? 

[CJ_A]

Hi Kdot1st   

Smokers and ex-smokers are at a higher risk for respiratory related illness and lung cancer than non-smokers.  It's important that we understand our risk and use the screening tools available to try and prevent a life threatening situation.  

Unfortunately, anyone who has lungs can get lung cancer.  My mother died from lung cancer and never smoked a day in her life.  So, not only have I put myself in the high risk category due to smoking, but I also have a family history of lung cancer through my mother, who never smoked.

Here's a quiz that will help you determine your risk  ~ Saved by the Scan program information and "the QUIZ" https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/saved-by-the-scan/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMIxLe-lo6J6AIVjoCfCh2RUQ_aEA...

[Kdot1st]

Ok, thank you. Quiz said I didn't qualify though. 

[SuzyQ411]

Unfortunately, statistics are proving this to be true. However, only a certain percentage of ex-smokers are vulnerable, for whatever reason. Suppose it could be how long they smoked and how much. Also, genetics maybe plays a part? One sure thing is that if we keep smoking our risk of getting cancer gets higher and higher as a rule.