Smoking and lung cancer

In most people, lung cancer is related to cigarette smoking. Although some people who have never smoked get lung cancer, smoking causes more than 8 out of 10 cases (83%).

Here are some facts about smoking and lung cancer

• The more you smoke, the more likely you are to get lung cancer but it is the length of time you have been a smoker that is most important.
• Starting smoking at a young age greatly increases the risk.

• Filtered and low tar cigarettes might not increase your risk quite so much, but most smokers cancel this out by taking more, deeper puffs or smoking more cigarettes.
• As soon as you stop smoking, your risk of lung cancer starts to go down.

• Passive smoking (breathing in other people's cigarette smoke) increases the risk of lung cancer, but it is still much less than if you smoke yourself.

Visit www.cancerresearchuk.org for more information.