Cancer Prevention and Tobacco Use

Cancer prevention and tobacco use are tied together as tobacco use is the number one risk factor for many types of cancer. Learn about prevention to avoid the risk of developing life threatening types of cancer.

Just quit using tobacco

If you are a current smoker, quit smoking as soon as possible to prevent cancer. There are many medications on the market that help ease your addiction to nicotine. Contact your physician about which medication is best for your needs. Many smokers think that quitting smoking now does not help them since they have already smoked for years. Research shows that quitting at any time reduces the risk of cancer. Using other types of tobacco also increases your risk of cancer, especially oral cancer.

Stay away from second hand smoke

Not all smokers get lung cancer and many people who do not smoke develop the disease. People who do not smoke need to stay away from second hand smoke as much as possible. It is shown to cause lung cancer in many cases and cancer is prevented by avoiding smoke. Recent studies also show that smoke lingers on people's clothes, furniture, cars and other items. This smoke also increases the chances of getting cancer, so stay away from anyone who smokes and their belongings.

Stopping your use of tobacco is one of the top cancer prevention tools. If you do not smoke, stay away from smokers and items that are contaminated with smoke to prevent lung cancer from developing.