For people who are addicted to nicotine, quitting smoking is really hard. But does quitting smoking right away get rid of the risk of lung cancer?
Dr. Mandeep Singh Malhotra, director of surgical oncology at CK Birla Hospital in Delhi, reflects.
“Giving up smoking is not the end of the road for ex-smokers. Because the bad consequences of tobacco might last for years, more ways to stop smoking are needed.
Here are some important things that people who used to smoke can do to minimize their risk:
- Promise to not use at all Even small relapses, such smoking “just one cigarette,” might set you back and make you want nicotine again. Complete abstinence is the only way to really stop something. others who used to smoke should also stay away from places where others are smoking and secondhand smoke.
- Live a healthy life A balanced practice that includes yoga, breathing exercises, and physical activity is good for your lungs and your general health. Regular exercise also strengthens the immune system, which helps the body heal damage done by smoking for years.
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- Eat a lot of foods that are high in antioxidants Diet is highly important for getting better after damage from smoking. Eating foods high in antioxidants, like green leafy vegetables, seasonal fruits, nuts, and others, can help neutralize free radicals and lower inflammation in lung tissues. Over time, this can help repair oxidative damage.
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- Get regular checkups for your health Finding lung cancer early makes a big difference in how well it does. People who used to smoke should get yearly checkups, which may involve imaging tests if their doctor says they need them. Low-dose CT scans look promising for finding problems early, but the best way to find them is still to screen people based on their own risk factors.
- Keep up with new ways to screen people. Medical research is changing quickly. Liquid biopsy is a non-invasive blood test that can find genetic alterations that are linked to cancer. Liquid biopsy could help find lung cancer early in people who are at high risk, such long-term ex-smokers. This article is only meant to give you information and is not a replacement for professional medical advice.

