| Quit Smoking USA |
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer deaths in the United States. Smoking continues to be the leading cause of lung cancer. More than 87% of lung cancers are caused by smoking. Secondhand smoke also causes lung cancer. Unlike many other cancers, the death rates for lung cancer have NOT declined. In fact, lung cancer will kill over 154,000 Americans this year. It kills more people than breast, prostrate, colon, and pancreas cancers, combined. Lung cancer is so deadly because when the cancer is detected, 60% of the time it has already spread outside the lungs to other parts of the body. Lesser risk factors include a family history of lung cancer, and exposure to cancer-causing agents in the workplace or home environment. DON'T LET ANOTHER YEAR GO UP IN SMOKE: Most smokers (7 out of 10!) want to quit. Make 2004 the year that it happens. Here are some helpful tips: 1.) Zero the Hero! 0 cigarettes = 0 cigarettes Smoking even a few cigarettes a day damages your health. If you try to smoke fewer cigarettes, but do not stop completely, soon you will be smoking the same amount again. Also, "light" cigarettes are a lie. You will find yourself smoking deeper and more frequently to get the same amount of nicotine. The only choice is to quit completely or keep on smoking. 2.) Make a list of reasons you want to quit. Do you want to: feel in control of your life? feel stronger? have more energy for the day? set a good example for your kids? protect your kids from secondhand smoke? Really wanting to quit is the single most important factor in quitting successfully. Smokers who live through a heart attack are the most likely to succeed because they are really motivated. Find a reason for quitting before you have no choice. 3.) Know, accept, and prepare for the fact that quitting will be TOUGH. However, HALF THE BATTLE of quitting smoking is realizing you need to quit! This realization will help you deal with the symptoms of withdrawal. Smokers who use an aid to help them quit are TWICE as likely to succeed! However, there is no magic bullet, no easy way. Give yourself a month to get over feelings of loss, anger, anxiety, and depression. Take it one day at a time, even one minute at a time, whatever you need to succeed. 4.) Half of all smokers alive today have quit, so you can too. All these people did not necessarily quit forever, but each attempt to quit smoking builds confidence, experience, and insight to the final goal of quitting for good. Studies show most smokers require multiple attempts to get the job done. Keep trying! 5.) Get help if you need some!
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