• Question: i have an auntie that smokes and i was wondering if she is at risk of getting lung cancer?????????

    Asked by helen1 to Gioia, Iain, Jo, Leo, Mariam on 16 Jun 2010 in Categories: .
    • Photo: Iain Moal

      Iain Moal answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      Yes, she probably is. People who smoke 2 packs a day are 25 times more likely to get lung cancer than those who don’t smoke. Smokers who get lung cancer usually get it in their 50s, although it can happen any time.

    • Photo: Joanna Watson

      Joanna Watson answered on 15 Jun 2010:

      Hi helen1 – yes, smoking does make you more likely to get lung cancer, but it doesn’t mean you will definitely get it.

      If you can convince her to quit it would be really good, because smoking is really bad for your health.

    • Photo: Mariam Orme

      Mariam Orme answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      Well yes, smoking increases the risk of getting lung cancer. And the more you smoke, the more at risk you are, but if you stop smoking the risks go down. But smoking doesn’t necessarily mean you will get lung cancer.

    • Photo: Leo Garcia

      Leo Garcia answered on 16 Jun 2010:

      Tobacco smoking is the single biggest preventable cause of deaths from cancer. And smoking is, by far, the biggest cause of lung cancer. It also has many other negative health side effects, including increased risk of heart disease and nasty diseases like emphysema.

      Whilst your auntie is almost certainly aware of the health risks, perhaps make her aware that you care about her health and wellbeing, and would prefer it if she stopped.

Comments