CancerExplained.org · Free health handout
Quitting Smoking
The single biggest step to lower cancer risk
Why it's worth it — at any age
- Smoking causes about 1 in 3 cancer deaths in the U.S. — not just lung cancer, but at least a dozen cancer types.
- Your body starts recovering within hours of quitting; over years, cancer risk drops substantially.
- Quitting also protects the people around you from secondhand smoke.
What actually helps
- Counseling plus quit medicines (nicotine replacement, varenicline, or bupropion) roughly doubles your chances of quitting for good.
- Free coaching: call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-855-DÉJELO-YA in Spanish) or text QUITNOW to 333888.
- SmokefreeTXT and the quitSTART app offer free 24/7 support.
- Slips are normal — most people try several times before quitting for good. Each attempt teaches you something.
Talk to your doctor about
- Which quit medicine fits you, including prescription options.
- Whether you qualify for lung cancer screening (ages 50–80 with a 20 pack-year history).
It is never too late to quit — and you don't have to do it alone. Free help: 1-800-QUIT-NOW.
This handout is for education only and is not medical advice. Talk with a qualified healthcare professional about what is right for you.
Sources: NCI: Smokefree.gov · CDC: How to quit. Updated 2026-07-04.
Learn more in plain language: https://cancerexplained.org/prevention/quitting-smoking/ — free to copy and share for non-commercial education.