Quitting smoking at any age reduces the risk of cancer

A major study has found that the chances of developing the disease halved in people who quit the habit for at least 15 years compared to those who continued to light up, with the risk of lung cancer falling drastically in those who gave up before middle age.

Experts analysed medical data from Koreans who had health examinations from 2002 onwards and recorded cases of lung, liver, stomach, and colorectal cancers until 2019.

After a follow-up period of 13 years and five months, the risk of lung cancer among quitters fell by 42 per cent, with falls of 27 per cent, 20 per cent, and 14 per cent recorded for liver, colorectal, and stomach cancers, respectively.

Dr Jin-Kyoung Oh - who led the study at the National Cancer Center Korea - said: "Regardless of age, quitting smoking has been shown to reduce the risk of developing cancer, especially lung cancer, with early cessation before middle age leading to significant reductions."

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