Smoking and Lung Problems
There are a host of health problems associated with smoking, and one of the hardest to treat is problems with the lungs. If you smoke, you instantly increase the risk of getting lung cancer. Statistics from Cancer Research UK show that 40,800 people were diagnosed with lung cancer in the UK in 2008, and 35,260 people died from the condition in the same year. These figures show how difficult the cancer is to treat and how low the survival rate is; one of the lowest of any cancers. It is the second most common cancer in the UK, after breast cancer.
Studies in the US show that men who smoke can increase their risk of dying by 22 times, and women by up to 12 times. The World Lung Foundation which was established in 2004, is an organisation which works to reverse the epidemic of lung conditions, particularly for those in low and middle income countries. Cancer Research UK also does a lot of work to try and combat cancer by raising money to develop treatments.
Even if smoking does not lead to full blown lung cancer, it can cause many other lung conditions. Bronchitis, emphysema and asthma are just three of the possible side effects of smoking. These conditions cause difficulty in breathing, and sometimes irreversible damage, which can have a huge effect on the quality of a persons life. These conditions can also lead to a whole host of other health problems.
If you are worried about the effects of your smoking, and are looking to try and quit, you may want to look into hypnotherapy as a way of dealing with your addiction to smoking. To find out more about how it could help you, please visit our fact sheet for further information.