If you have the bad habit of smoking, the principal way that one can
help themselves is to give up on smoking. Continuing to smoke and seeing
other ways to reduce the risks of lung cancer is a half hearted
approach. Smoking is known to harm not only the lungs but can also cause
other associated problems. By increasing the levels of toxin in the
blood stream, you compromise your immune system greatly. All kinds of
ailments take on a graver appearance when one continues to smoke. The
following steps can be taken to reduce the risks of lunch cancer in
smokers.
Do Not Smoke
- Do Not Take Up The Habit – The main step towards reducing the risk of developing lung cancer is to stop smoking. Tobacco use is attributed as the major cause of lung cancer in people afflicted with such a disease across the world. It has been seen that in US alone eighty percent women and ninety percent men have smoked for which they have contracted lung cancer and finally died in the process. Thus, the main step towards reducing the risk of cancer is to not take up such a habit.
- Quit The Habit – If you are a smoker, you need to quit the habit which will help to lower the risk of lung cancer. You could try electronic cigarettes to reduce your tenacity to smoke. One should remember that, even if you quit, you need to take steps towards a healthy diet and lifestyle in order to reduce the chances of contracting such a disease.
- Seek Help – If you are a smoker and are unable to give up the habit, you need to lower the risk of lung cancer by seeking help. There are support groups where one can join to discuss their problems of not being able to quit. Such support groups allow one to express their feelings and be able to come to terms with their situation. One could also seek counseling and support to quit smoking.
Reduce Exposure To Second Hand Smoke
It is said that passive smoking is as bad as being exposed to smoke
first hand. Thus, one needs to find ways to reduce chances of inhaling
second hand smoke at home or in workplaces.
- Make your home smoke free – if you live with other members who smoke, try and discourage them from smoking. Even if they cannot give up the habit, they should be asked to smoke outside the close spaces where the air gets polluted easily.
- Ensure that your workplace does not make you a passive smoker – you have every right to a smoke free space in your workplace. If others are smoking close to your office workstation and subjecting you to second hand smoke, you can speak up and voice your complaint.
- Use public transport that does not allow smoking. Nowadays most public transport systems, public waiting areas do not allow people to smoke openly. One can always speak up if others are found smoking.
Reduce Exposure To Dangerous Fumes
Lung cancer can be caused not only by being exposed to tobacco fumes
or smoke but also by exposure to other forms of toxic fumes and
pollutants.
Reduce Use Of Chemical Household Cleaners
– We do not realize that many of our actions involve working with
chemicals that release fumes which can be toxic to our lungs. When you
are using household cleaners, it is best to resort to herbal or non
toxic household cleaning agents. These will not release harmful fumes
which can affect the lungs and increase the chances of lung cancer.
Workplace Dangers
– Do you work in a factory where you are subjected to inhaling
dangerous fumes? If so, find out the norms of workplace safety rules and
whether your office is abiding by them. Seek medical help if you have
been exposed to an unhealthy level of such toxic fumes. Consider
changing such a workplace if the risks are great.
Living Areas
– Do you live in an industrial setting? Do you have plants and
factories next to you which emit fumes all day? Such pollutants in the
air will affect the residents nearby. Find out more about the factories
located close to your home and whether you are at risk of contracting
lung diseases like lung cancer due to constant exposure to such polluted
air. You might need to consider moving t a safer and greener par of
town in order to reduce such risks to your health.
Have you quit smoking to reduce the chances of lung cancer? Do you
wish to be free of such risks? Get a medical checkup done and follow the
preventive measures mentioned above. Awareness and prevention are the
important steps to prevent the onset of such a disease.
