“Am I at a risk of throat cancer if I quit a smoking habit of 3 years?”
I have been a chain smoker for the last three years. I quit the habit 3 months ago due to the risks involved with smoking. Does it still put me at risk of throat cancer?
11 Answers
Yes, you are still at an increased risk of cancer of the: mouth, throat, lungs, pancreas, kidneys, and bladder from years of smoking. That being said, quitting is the best thing you can do for yourself. See your physician if you have concerning symptoms.
Respiratory cancer from smoking cigarettes is dose-related. You have to smoke at least one pack per day for at least about 20 years to be at risk. You need not worry if you only smoked 3 years. But quitting was one of the best decisions you’ll ever make health wise.
The common risk factors for throat cancer include tobacco, alcohol, and Human Papilloma virus (HPV).
Your risk for throat cancer will continue to decrease over time providing you continue to abstain from smoking.
Your risk for throat cancer will continue to decrease over time providing you continue to abstain from smoking.
That risk is probably very small, but any exposure to toxins has a direct effect on the tissues, so refrain from this habit.
Usually 3 years of smoking is not a usual cause of cancer, however there may be exceptions related to personal sensibilities and genetics. Also the age of the smoker has a bearing in the outcome. But in general it will be unlikely that a squamous cell carcinoma be caused by 3 years of regular cigarette smoking.
The short answer is yes. However, having quit, the risk decreases over time. Recent evidence suggests that after 10 years, the risk may return to what it would have been had you never smoked; but this is not a proven fact. In any case, don’t smoke; if you do, quit and don’t start again.
Devang P. Desai
Ear-Nose and Throat Doctor (ENT)
Yes, you are still at a small risk of throat and voice box cancer.
Devang P. Desai, MD
Devang P. Desai, MD
Your risk will remain elevated for several years to come.
Being a smoker or ex-smoker does increase your risk of developing throat or larynx cancer. Most patients who develop this have well over a decade of smoking a pack a day, so your risk is very little and not much higher than the general population.
Kindest regards,
Dr. Matthew S. Broadhurst, BMBS FRACS
Kindest regards,
Dr. Matthew S. Broadhurst, BMBS FRACS
Throat cancer cause is unknown, things associated with it are 1) cigarette smoking 2) alcohol 3) acid reflux 4) oral sex (papilloma virus exposure). Quitting smoking cigarettes is a good first step; the longer you stop, the reduction in the risk of developing throat cancer gets better.
Depends on age, year of pack years, alcohol consumption, immune status, presence of diabetes, chronic airway irritant exposure, HPV status.
