Aa
Aa
A
A
A
Close
Avatar universal

Should I quit smoking?

I have emphysema and I have been smoking for many years.  I would like to get the patch and try to quit smoking. The question I have is that I have been told that if I suddenly stop smoking the shock to my system could cause me to get lung cancer.  Is this true?
3 Responses
Sort by: Helpful Oldest Newest
251132 tn?1198078822
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
This is absolutely false.
It is urgent that you quit smoking as soon as possible to slow the progression of the emphysema. Smoking causes emphysema to progress 3 times faster.  You may want to look at our Quit Smoking Topic Center at http://www.nationaljewish.org/topic/smoking_cessation.html for ways to quit.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
absolutely, you should quit smoking!!!!......Smoking is probably what contributed to your emphysema in the first place.  Continuing to smoke, will only make it worse...not better.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Yes, you must stop smoking! Quitting will not cause you to develop lung cancer. Where did you hear that from? If you continue to smoke, the emphysema will progress much faster. Stoping smoking, plus other healthy lifestyle changes, like regular exercise, can add many extra years to your life. A few years after not smoking, the deterioration in your lungs will become that of a non-smoker. Every smokers's lungs deteorate much faster than non smoker's. But emphysema does cause permanent damage to the lungs: and emphysema is progressive. But not smoking will slow the progression down. You CAN quit smoking. Its a matter of mind over matter. Take care...Debi
Helpful - 0

You are reading content posted in the Respiratory Disorders Forum

Popular Resources
Find out what causes asthma, and how to take control of your symptoms.
Healing home remedies for common ailments
Tricks to help you quit for good.
Is your area one of the dirtiest-air cities in the nation?
A list of national and international resources and hotlines to help connect you to needed health and medical services.
Herpes sores blister, then burst, scab and heal.