How to Survive Your Former Smoking Habit

I t's understandable if ex-smokers are extra-concerned about their prospects for a long, healthy life. Though healing actually begins within 20 minutes after your last cigarette, the mere fact that you smoked, however long ago, means you carry a higher risk of developing assorted cancers and other diseases.

AVOID CIGARETTES LIKE THE PLAGUE

Fortunately, the body is resilient, so with extra commitment to changed habits and diligent screening ex-smokers can have a better chance of a long future. For information on how to do that, I spoke with David M. Mintzer, MD, chief of hematology-oncology at Pennsylvania Hospital and clinical associate professor of medicine at the University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia. Dr. Mintzer's first and most urgent advice is to stay off cigarettes. Okay, that sounds obvious, but he points out that more than 90% of people who attempt to quit eventually return to the deadly habit. That makes his advice more compelling and he says to do whatever you must, be it counseling, nicotine patches, hypnotism or anything else you think might help you quit for good. Dr. Mintzer adds that a new drug, called varenicline (Chantix), is showing some real success in helping smokers stay away from cigarettes, and that this might be something to consider if you are struggling.

His next most urgent recommendation is to avoid all second-hand smoke. Studies have consistently demonstrated that second-hand smoke is extremely dangerous to your health -- and when you are with others who are smoking, the temptation to restart is hard to resist. According to the American Cancer Society, a non-smoking spouse of a smoker has a 30% greater risk of developing lung cancer than does someone married to a non-smoker. Since tissue is already damaged and more vulnerable, you should be alert to and avoid environments with any kind of chemicals known to be carcinogens, including such hazards as airborne asbestos fibers, radon, diesel exhaust and even gasoline.

SPECIAL SCREENINGS FOR EX-SMOKERS

Because of the wide variety of health risks associated with smoking, Dr. Mintzer underscores the need to carefully observe good-health rules and also to have appropriate screenings. The great controversy for ex-smokers right now, what he calls the "elephant in the living room," is the usefulness of ever-more sophisticated CT scans to screen for evidence of lung cancer. Some studies have shown these are indeed helpful in detection, but many doctors have serious concerns. While CT scans can reveal cancerous tumors, they can also reveal smaller lesions that may be cancers but never present a danger... or lesions that are benign but misinterpreted as cancer. Lung cancer surgery, including biopsies, is extremely difficult on patients and doctors don't want to perform it unnecessarily. More and better information on this controversial subject will be available in a few years, as the National Cancer Institute has cosponsored a $200 million National Lung Screening Trial with 50,000 participants, to determine the most effective way to screen people at high risk for developing lung cancer. Until results are available, Dr. Mintzer believes we simply do not have enough data to recommend screening protocol for people without symptoms, whatever their smoking history. However, if you have any worrisome symptoms, such as a chronic cough, they should be taken seriously and a medical evaluation is in order -- if it turns out to be lung cancer, the disease is likely more survivable if caught early.

In the meantime, there are other screening tests you should discuss with your doctor as well. Be sure he/she knows you were once a smoker... you may need to be screened for COPD and cardiovascular disease along with the usual screenings for colon and breast cancer. A persistent sore throat, prolonged hoarseness or non-healing sores that involve the mouth or tongue may warrant further evaluation with an ear, nose and throat specialist to exclude pre-cancerous or cancerous changes. Smoking was an assault on your body and it is important to have regular physical exams so that if anything does start to go awry you can take immediate steps to correct it.

HEALTH-BOOSTING HABITS ARE LIKE EXTRA INSURANCE

Studies have not supported the use of vitamins A, E and retinols for reducing the likelihood of cancer -- though, some studies have shown selenium to be beneficial, says Daily Health News contributing medical editor Andrew L. Rubman, ND, "Selenium is beneficial particularly in conjunction with other antioxidants like vitamins A, C and others, because it is an antioxidant and anti-inflammatory." And certainly you should be eating antioxidant-rich foods, as well, since they can help wipe up disease-causing free radical molecules. However, he cautions that taking high levels of any antioxidant is always ill-advised and people with established diseases should consult their doctors first and take supplements only under their supervision.

Dr. Mintzer also points out that studies show exercise may help reduce mortality from certain cancers including breast and colon, and of course it helps strengthen the cardiovascular system. Get 30 minutes of exercise most days of the week -- a good rule of thumb for everyone who wants better health.