Prevention


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Prevention		Quitting Smoking Adds Years to Your Life at Any Age
Quitting smoking in mid life can add 6-8 additional years to your life!		People will add years to their life at whatever age they stop smoking, according to the latest data from the Cancer Prevention 2 Study. A man who stopped smoking at age 65 could expect to add 1.4 to 2 years to his life compared to men of the same age who continued to smoke. Women at age 65 could expect to add between 2.7 and 3.7 years to their life by stopping. The greatest benefit, however, is quitting at a younger age. For example, men who quit at age 35 can expect to add 6.9 to 8.5 years to their life, and women can add between 6.1 and 7.7 years. It's a sobering thought that when people choose to continue smoking they are exchanging 6-8 years of their life for their cigarettes! Quitting is difficult but there is help available from your doctor that can make it much easier and more likely that you can quit. Encourage people to ask their doctors for help.
		Reference
		CA Cancer Journal for Clinicians; 52:319, Nov/Dec 2002
		Making Healthy Choices articles are written by Don Hall, DrPH, CHES president of LifeLong Health with contributions from associated health professionals. Content is general health information from evidence based research. It's purpose is not to treat disease or take the place of advice by your doctor but to promote healthy lifestyles. Persons with health problems should contact their physician for specific guidance. Copyrighted 2002 by PrevMedix LLC. All rights reserved. Do not make unauthorized copies.
		Updated: 12/17/02