I have a question concerning smoking and lung cancer. - Cancer: Lung Message Board

mr_panicky · 05-04-2006, 07:39 PM

I notice a lot of people are posting about the results/status of their loved ones and dear friends and I have a questions.

Of the unfortunate people w/lung cancer. How many (percentage) smoke/smoked?

rockie · 05-04-2006, 09:37 PM

Mr P....my hubby used to be a heavy smoker. He is 56 and started smoking when smoking what in, cool, hip. When John Wayne and the Marlboro man where hits. He quit 9 yrs ago with the express wish to avoid lung cancer. He smoked 3 packs a day. He was 16 when he started and quit in '98. The damage was done. They have told us that of the type of lung cancer he has...nsclc....80% of dx cases are currently smoking or were ex-smokers.

yet, I do not and have not smoked except for an exprerimental time when I was 18-19. I am 46 now and because of that little bit and the 17 yrs I was married to my first husband (who was a light, but regular smoker), I am at risk for LC. I don't know if this is TMI for you, but if you are compiling information, this is what I can contribute from our xp here in Southern IN.

Take care of yourself and keep us posted.

Jan

mr_panicky · 05-04-2006, 10:11 PM

What or who told you that due to your exposure that you have a risk for lung cancer? How much of a risk do you have?

rockie · 05-08-2006, 08:28 AM

I don't know what my % of risk is, but any time you are exposed to carcinogens you are at risk. Every body is different. What might take mega-doses for one might take minute amounts for another to trigger the cancer. Best thing I can do is keep an eye on my general health and after going through this experience with my husband, I can see where there were some symptoms way back when, but we dismissed them easily -- sinuses, allergies, etc etc....

Right now his port has broken through the skin and we are headed for the surgeon's office. It started while we were camping during the weekend and hightailed back home. I've been keeping it clean and bandaged so hopefully the infection that is also present is being kept at bay. Just another fly in the ointment...so to speak. It seems like a domino effect sometimes.

Best wishes to you...

Jan

lorriem · 05-08-2006, 09:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mr_panicky

I notice a lot of people are posting about the results/status of their loved ones and dear friends and I have a questions.

Of the unfortunate people w/lung cancer. How many (percentage) smoke/smoked?

My husband was diag with nsclc last May He stopped smoking in 1978. I was told by a few of his doctors that if you have smoked for as little as two years the damage has already been done. Who knows if that is the truth.
Lorrie