What Is the Effect of Smoking for Thirty Years on the Risk of Developing Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer forms in cells within the air passages of lung tissue. Smoking is the largest risk factor for developing lung cancer. Smoking damages lung cells, which form tumors. The more a person is exposed to smoke, the greater her risk of developing lung cancer.

Statistics

• Scientists have studied the relationship between smoking and lung cancer since the 1950s. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention claims cigarette smoking causes 116,920 deaths from lung cancer each year in the United States.

Likelihood of Death

• The Center for Disease Control says men who smoke are 22 times more likely to die of lung cancer than non-smokers and female smokers are 12 times more likely to die of lung cancer.

Effect of Smoking

• Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death in men and women. Smoking is responsible for 9 out of 10 lung cancer deaths, according to the American Cancer Society.

Risk Reduction

• Studies show that smokers who quit at age 30 reduce their risk of dying from smoking-related disease by 90 percent and those who quit at age 50 reduce risk by 50 percent.

Smoking vs. Not Smoking

• Though quitting after smoking for 30 years reduces your risk of dying of lung cancer, those who used to smoke still have a higher risk of developing lung cancer than those who never smoked.