Lung cancer risk drops significantly within five years of quitting, even for people who were once heavy smokers. Nonetheless, the risk of lung cancer is still three-times higher in former heavy smokers compared to people who never smoked at all. Four out of every 10 lung cancers occur in former smokers who quit at least 15 years prior.
That said, the risk does decrease somewhat with time. And without question, becoming a former smoker is one of the best things you can do to reduce your cancer risk and improve your overall health.
This article breaks down lung cancer risk in former smokers compared to people who have never smoked at all. It also explains when and how often to get screened for lung cancer.
Lung Cancer Risk After Quitting
A larger 2018 study also looked at the risk of lung cancer after quitting smoking in almost 4,000 original participants and more than 5,000 of their children.
Roughly 40% of lung cancer cases occurred in people who had quit smoking more than 15 years before their diagnosis.
More specifically, the risk of developing lung cancer after quitting in former heavy smokers was compared with the risk of lifelong non-smokers from five to 25 plus years after quitting. Here’s what they found:
What This Means for Former Smokers
Lung cancer is most treatable in the early stages. When it is discovered early, surgery can offer the chance of a cure.
So, what should you do if you quit smoking 10 years ago, 20 years ago, or more? The answer depends on how much you smoked and when you quit. If you meet the criteria for screening, this is an excellent option.
If you don’t, you may wish to talk to your healthcare provider about lung cancer screening anyway, especially if other risk factors are present.
Get Screened
Next to smoking cessation, the best method for preventing death due to lung cancer is lung cancer screening via low-dose computed tomography, also known as a CT scan.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends using low-dose computerized tomography (CT) to screen for lung cancer in people who:
The American Cancer Society has similar recommendations, but they don’t limit screening to 15 years after quitting.
All About CT Lung Cancer Screening
Be Aware of Symptoms
Having an awareness of the symptoms of lung cancer could mean the difference between finding your disease early or when it has already spread—even if you also get screened, as these tests don’t detect allcancers.
Even so, studies have revealed the majority of people are not familiar with the most common symptoms. Part of this is that lung cancer is changing. The types of lung cancer most common in the past are different than the types most common today.
For example, forms of lung cancer such as squamous cell carcinoma of the lungs and small cell lung cancer have become less common. Those cancers tend to grow near the large airways of the lungs and cause symptoms early on, such as a persistent cough or coughing up blood.
Today, lungadenocarcinomais the most common type of lung cancer.These cancers tend to grow in the outer regions of the lung, rather than near the airways. Symptoms are often a vague sense of shortness of breath that many people disregard as being due to getting older or due to inactivity.
Signs and Symptoms of Lung Cancer
Know Your Risk Factors
In addition to knowing the symptoms of lung cancer, it’s important to be aware of your risk factors. These include family history, occupational exposure to chemicals linked to lung cancer, elevated radon levels in the home, and more (in addition to smoking).
Mention any that apply to you to your healthcare provider, as it may factor into their care decisions.
Be Your Own Advocate
If you have any symptoms of lung cancer or any symptoms that don’t have an obvious cause, talk to your healthcare provider. If you don’t get an adequate explanation for your symptoms, ask for further studies or get a second opinion.
It’s not only the general public that is surprised when never-smokers and former smokers who quit long ago develop lung cancer. Many healthcare providers are as well, as they may not have lung cancer high on their radar when evaluating non-smokers.
Among lung cancer survivors, a frequent complaint is that their symptoms weren’t addressed thoroughly, or were dismissed since they either never smoked or had kicked the habit.
Remember: Anyone who has lungs can get lung cancer.
A Word From VerywellThere are so many good reasons to stop smoking. Lung cancer is not the only cancer linked to smoking and quitting can reduce the risk of eleven other cancers, too! Get the ball rolling with a conversation with your healthcare provider.—JANE KIM, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
A Word From Verywell
There are so many good reasons to stop smoking. Lung cancer is not the only cancer linked to smoking and quitting can reduce the risk of eleven other cancers, too! Get the ball rolling with a conversation with your healthcare provider.—JANE KIM, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
There are so many good reasons to stop smoking. Lung cancer is not the only cancer linked to smoking and quitting can reduce the risk of eleven other cancers, too! Get the ball rolling with a conversation with your healthcare provider.
—JANE KIM, MD, MEDICAL EXPERT BOARD
Summary
The risk of lung cancer is much higher in current and former smokers compared to people who have never smoked at all. However, quitting does decrease the risk of lung cancer, and the risk continues to decrease with every smoke-free year.
Even if you do develop lung cancer, know that survival rates are better in former smokers than current ones. Whether you are a current smoker or not, getting screened for lung cancer is critical if you are between the ages of 50 to 80, as lung cancer is treatable when caught early.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Tindle HA, Stevenson Duncan M, Greevy RA, et al.Lifetime smoking history and risk of lung cancer: Results from the Framingham Heart Study.J Natl Cancer Inst. 2018;110(11):1201-1207. doi:10.1093/jnci/djy041
van der Aalst C, ten Haaf K, de Koning H.Implementation of lung cancer screening: What are the main issues?.TLCR. 2021 Feb;10(2):1-14. doi:10.21037/tlcr-20-985
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.Screening for Lung Cancer: US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement.JAMA.2021;325(10):962–970. doi:10.1001/jama.2021.1117
Wolf AMD, Oeffinger KC, Shih TY, et al.Screening for lung cancer: 2023 guideline update from the American Cancer Society.CA Cancer J Clin. 2023;10.3322/caac.21811. doi:10.3322/caac.21811
Mong C, Garon E, Fuller C, et al.High prevalence of lung cancer in a surgical cohort of lung cancer patients a decade after smoking cessation.J Cardiothorac Surg. 2011 Feb 25;6:19. doi:10.1186/1749-8090-6-19
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts.
Cookies SettingsAccept All Cookies
