The Link Between Smoking and Lung Cancer

The Impact of Smoking

Smoking tobacco products is one of the few health behaviors directly linked to causing a negative health outcome, like lung cancer. Cigarettes directly impact your airway and lungs since you inhale the smoke. Nearly 90% of all lung cancer deaths are due to smoking cigarettes or exposure to secondhand smoke. Cigarette use is also the number one risk factor for developing lung cancer. Almost one fifth of Warfighters report they smoke cigarettes. As a Warfighter, reducing your risk for chronic conditions like cancer is a key aspect of staying operationally ready.

Lung Cancer Risk

Even smoking irregularly can increase your risk of lung cancer. You may only smoke cigarettes or other tobacco products like cigars and hookah in social settings as a way to bond with your friends and unit. No matter how infrequent, tobacco use can lead to cancer and other negative health outcomes. If you smoke cigarettes, you are up to 30 times more likely to develop lung cancer. The more frequently you smoke and higher number of cigarettes you smoke, the greater your risk.

Additional Negative Outcomes

Smoking cigarettes can lead to cancer anywhere in the body. Though individuals who smoke have the highest risk of lung cancer, other areas of the body impacted by smoking include:

In addition to multiple cancers, there are other negative health and financial outcomes of cigarette use. It’s also common to receive multiple smoking-related diagnoses. Smoking increases your risk for lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma, heart disease, stroke and type 2 diabetes to name a few. Less known health impacts include fertility issues, a weakened immune system, lower bone density (i.e., increased risk of musculoskeletal injury) and poor oral health. A strong, healthy body is necessary to perform your duties and support the mission. Any cancer and negative smoking-related outcomes directly impact your ability to be operationally ready.