“Should the children of smokers get lung cancer screenings?”
My child is only 4 years old and was diagnosed with asthma. My husband is also a heavy smoker. Because my daughter probably has asthma from secondhand smoking, should he get lung cancer screenings?
3 Answers
Exposure to cigarette smoke in childhood can lead to the development of asthma. However, it is very unlikely to cause cancer in a 4-year-old because that requires many years of exposure to smoke. Therefore, I would not have your daughter screened for cancer.
Your husband should be encouraged strongly to take his cigarette smoking out of the house because it is wrong for him to expose your daughter to more smoke that can hurt her lungs, and also cause her to develop ear infections.
Your husband should certainly undergo cancer screenings as long as he continues to smoke.
Ran D. Anbar, M.D.
? P. 858.201.4001 F. 858.586.1199?
www.centerpointmedicine.com
Author: Changing Children's Lives with Hypnosis: A Journey to the Center
Your husband should be encouraged strongly to take his cigarette smoking out of the house because it is wrong for him to expose your daughter to more smoke that can hurt her lungs, and also cause her to develop ear infections.
Your husband should certainly undergo cancer screenings as long as he continues to smoke.
Ran D. Anbar, M.D.
? P. 858.201.4001 F. 858.586.1199?
www.centerpointmedicine.com
Author: Changing Children's Lives with Hypnosis: A Journey to the Center
He is too young for lung cancer screening. However he has asthma and smoking is a major trigger for asthma and worsening inflammation in his airways. I would strongly recommend that you and your husband speak to your healthcare provider and seek a smoking cessation program. This will help your child's asthma significantly.
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