In the U.S., lung cancer ranks as the second most frequently diagnosed cancer for both men and women. Each year more people succumb to lung cancer than to colon, breast and prostate cancers combined.
Thankfully, there’s a powerful way to greatly reduce the chance of ever being diagnosed with lung cancer — quitting smoking. (Note: Not every lung cancer case is caused by cigarette use, but smoking remains the leading risk factor for lung cancer.)
The Benefits of Quitting Smoking
Stopping smoking lowers the risk of heart attacks and blood clots, boosts immune function, can aid weight loss, improves skin clarity and vision, prevents long-term lung damage such as emphysema and scarring, reduces cholesterol and decreases the chance of developing lung cancer (among many other advantages).
According to the Centers for Disease Control, people who smoke are 15 to 30 times more likely to receive a lung cancer diagnosis or die from it than those who don’t smoke.
Furthermore, individuals who continue smoking after a lung cancer diagnosis almost double their likelihood of death.
Five years after you quit, your risk of developing various cancers of the mouth, nose and throat is reduced by half. Ten years after quitting, your risk of dying from lung cancer is half that of someone who keeps smoking.
7 Free Resources to Help You Quit
No one said giving up cigarettes would be simple or pleasant, or that it happens instantly, but both the immediate and long-term health payoffs are substantial and worth the effort.
If you’re prepared to stop smoking, the following free tools can support you:
1. Smokefree.gov
Smokefree.gov should be your go-to source. The site assists you through every stage, from picking a quit date to remaining smoke-free for years. It also provides tailored information for women, teens, veterans, Spanish speakers and those over 60 seeking to quit.
If you’re unsure where to begin, try Smokefree.gov’s complimentary “Build My Quit Plan” tool, which helps you take the initial steps and creates a plan you can revisit as you work to stay smoke-free.
The site also hosts a full page of free guides and reading materials to assist people at every age and life stage in quitting and staying quit, with downloadable resources available.
After you’ve made the first strides, return to Smokefree.gov repeatedly for support with maintaining abstinence, managing slips and relapses, adjusting to life without cigarettes, healthy living and more.
2. Your Insurance Provider
Reach out to your insurance company to learn whether they supply nicotine replacement therapies at no charge. The treatments listed here are commonly covered by insurers.
3. State-Run Programs
Many states run free smoking-cessation initiatives that can provide nicotine patches, gum or lozenges at no cost (if you’re over 18 and it’s medically suitable). Search “your state” + “free nicotine patches” to discover local services. You can also view a list of states offering free nicotine replacement products here.
4. BecomeAnEx
If you want an accountability network or group support, BecomeAnEX offers a free program that connects you with others who are trying to quit or have successfully quit.
5. Counselors
If you prefer speaking with a professional, visit this page to learn how to reach counselors from the National Cancer Institute or your state’s quitline. For those who don’t want phone calls, there’s an option to connect with an information specialist via online chat.
6. SmokefreeTXT
If you’d like more frequent encouragement and tips, enroll in SmokefreeTXT, a free text program that sends advice, support and motivation three to five times daily. You can also text keywords to get immediate help when you need it.
7. Smartphone Apps
QuitGuide and quitSTART are free apps for Apple and Android devices. Both help you monitor habits and build a quitting plan. QuitSTART is aimed at teens but both apps are useful for anyone wanting to quit.
Listen: I know you’ve heard the warnings a thousand times. I know you’re aware of the dangers.
But if quitting has crossed your mind, you’re ready to try, or you’ve attempted to quit and didn’t know where to begin, these tools could be a solid place to start.
Grace Walters is an email content writer at Savinly.
