Individuals who quit smoking for an extended period can dramatically lower their risk of developing cancer. (Image courtesy of Asan Medical Center)
SEOUL, Mar. 13 (Korea Bizwire) – Recent research has revealed that individuals who quit smoking for an extended period can dramatically lower their risk of developing cancer.
The study, conducted by a team led by Oh Jin-yyung and Park Eun-jung at the National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, found that those who had quit smoking for 12 years had nearly half the risk of lung cancer compared to those who continued smoking.
The findings were published in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Network Open.
The study analyzed the smoking habits and health outcomes of around 2.97 million individuals over several years, categorizing participants into continuous smokers, relapsed smokers, temporary quitters, complete quitters, and nonsmokers, based on changes in their smoking status recorded during biennial health examinations from 2002-2003 to 2019.
The results indicated that individuals who had abstained from smoking for over 12 years had a 17% lower risk of developing any cancer, with specific reductions in lung cancer by 42%, liver cancer by 27%, stomach cancer by 14%, and colorectal cancer by 20% compared to those who continued to smoke.
The study also highlighted the significant benefits of quitting smoking before middle age, noting a more considerable reduction in cancer risk among those who quit before turning 50.
Those who quit smoking after the age of 50 saw a 16% reduction in overall cancer risk and a 40% reduction in lung cancer risk.
In contrast, those who quit before 50 experienced a 19% reduction in overall cancer risk and a remarkable 57% reduction in lung cancer risk.
Moreover, the longer the duration of smoking cessation, the greater the reduction in cancer risk, with those who had quit for 15 years experiencing more than half the risk of developing cancer compared to continuous smokers.
Oh Jin-kyung, the lead researcher, emphasized the efficacy of smoking cessation in preventing lung cancer in particular, stating, “Maintaining a consistent cessation of smoking is crucial for cancer prevention.” She further highlighted that quitting smoking reduces cancer risk regardless of age, with quitting before middle age being especially effective in preventing lung cancer.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
