Lung Cancer Prevention and Smoking Cessation
Lung cancer prevention starts with reducing your risk.
At CHRISTUS Health, we’re here to guide you with proven strategies, personalized care, and resources to help you protect your lungs and your life.
The most important step is avoiding tobacco. Quitting smoking or vaping dramatically lowers your chances of developing lung cancer, no matter your age or how long you’ve been smoking. But there’s more to prevention than quitting smoking. Regular screenings, healthy lifestyle choices, and avoiding exposure to harmful environmental substances all play a role.
How to Prevent Lung Cancer
- Quit smoking and vaping: This is the single most effective step you can take to reduce your risk.
- Avoid secondhand smoke: Stay away from environments where others are smoking.
- Get screened if you’re at high risk: Low-dose CT scans can detect lung cancer early.
- Test your home for radon: Radon exposure is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
- Limit exposure to harmful chemicals: Avoid asbestos, diesel exhaust, and other carcinogens at work and home.
- Maintain a healthy lifestyle: Eat a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables and stay physically active.
- Protect your lungs from infections: Stay up to date on vaccines like flu and pneumonia.
- Know your family history: Share it with your provider to understand your risk.
- Seek help early: If you smoke or vape, talk to your provider about quitting strategies and support.
Learn if You Are at Risk of Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths and one of the most preventable. To find out your risk, take the CHRISTUS Health lung cancer assessment.
Smoking Cessation
You can quit. We're here to help.
Quitting tobacco is one of the most powerful steps you can take to protect your health, and it’s never too late to start. Whether you’ve tried before or are thinking about it for the first time, you’re not alone. At CHRISTUS Health, we support your decision to quit with compassionate care, proven strategies, and resources that meet you where you are. Because every step toward quitting is a step toward a healthier, stronger you.
How Do I Quit Smoking?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to quitting tobacco, but there are proven strategies that can help.
At CHRISTUS Health, we offer tools and support to help you find what works best for you. Talk to your primary care provider if you are ready to quit smoking.
If you’ve tried quitting before, don’t get discouraged. Most people try two or three times before finally quitting tobacco use. Studies have shown that each time you try to quit, you will be stronger and will know more about what helps and what hurts your efforts.
There are several approaches to quitting smoking. Talk to your doctor to find the methods that may work best for you.
Medications and Nicotine Replacement
You don’t have to quit overnight. Over-the-counter options like nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges can ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. Prescription medications may also help by targeting the brain’s response to nicotine.
Quitting with the help of medications or nicotine replacement therapy is a process, not an immediate change. Most people begin to see improvements in withdrawal symptoms within a few weeks, but the full journey can take several months. These tools are designed to gradually reduce your dependence on nicotine while helping you manage cravings and stay committed. Some people use nicotine replacement for 8 to 12 weeks, while others may benefit from longer support. Your provider can help you choose the right approach and timeline tailored to you.
Behavioral Support
Talking with a counselor or joining a support group can make a big difference. Whether it’s a brief conversation or a structured program, behavioral support helps you build confidence, manage stress, and stay motivated.
Everyday Strategies to Quit Smoking
Simple changes can help you stay on track:
- Come up with a quit plan. Set a date you want to be nicotine-free and identify your triggers.
- Carry a water bottle to stay hydrated and curb cravings.
- Spend time in places where smoking isn’t allowed.
- Get moving, physical activity can reduce stress, improve your mood, and physical health. Even a 20-minute walk can greatly improve your state of mind.
- Talk it out with someone who supports your decision to quit. A strong support system makes all the difference.
Benefits of Quitting Smoking
Every moment without tobacco is a win for your health. The benefits of quitting start almost immediately, and they keep building over time.
- 20 minutes after quitting: Your heart rate and blood pressure begin to drop.
- 8 hours: Carbon monoxide levels in your blood decrease, and oxygen levels rise.
- 24 hours: Your risk of heart attack begins to go down.
- 2 weeks to 3 months: Circulation improves and lung function increases.
- 1 to 9 months: Coughing and shortness of breath decrease.
- 1 year: Your risk of coronary heart disease is cut in half.
- 5 years: Your risk of stroke is significantly reduced.
- 10 years: Your risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of a person who still smokes.
- 15 years: Your risk of heart disease is similar to someone who has never smoked.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Quitting smoking is hard, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or even ashamed. But shame has no place in your journey to better health. At CHRISTUS Health, we meet you with compassion, not judgment.
Your Provider Is Your Partner
Your provider is here to support you, not scold you. Even a brief conversation with a health care professional can increase your chances of quitting.
Your doctor can help you:
- Understand your options, including medications and counseling.
- Create a personalized quit plan that fits your lifestyle.
- Connect you with resources like quitlines, support groups, and follow-up care.
We believe in your ability to quit. And we’re here to help every step of the way. Find a provider near you.
Frequently Asked Questions About Smoking Cessation
Yes, most people experience withdrawal symptoms when they quit smoking. These can include cravings, irritability, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and increased appetite. These symptoms are a normal part of your body adjusting to life without nicotine, and they won't last forever.
While you may not be able to avoid withdrawal completely, you can manage it. Nicotine replacement therapies (like patches, gum, or lozenges) and medications can ease symptoms. Behavioral support, such as counseling or support groups, can also help you stay on track.
Withdrawal symptoms usually peak within the first 3 days and begin to fade after 2–4 weeks. Some people may experience lingering symptoms for a few months, but they become less intense over time. Every day without tobacco is a step toward feeling better.
Absolutely. Quitting smoking reduces your risk of many cancers, including lung, mouth, throat, bladder, kidney, and pancreas. Just 20 minutes after quitting, your body already starts to change for the better. Ten years after quitting, your risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of someone who still smokes.
It’s never too late. No matter your age or how long you’ve smoked, quitting can improve your health. Your body begins to heal within minutes of your last cigarette, and the benefits continue to grow over time.
Quitting smoking can save you thousands of dollars each year. Beyond the cost of cigarettes, you may also reduce health care expenses and improve your productivity. In Texas alone, smoking-related health care costs exceed $8.85 billion annually.
Use this calculator to determine how much you could save when you quit smoking.
The most effective approach combines medication and counseling. Nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medications can help with cravings, while behavioral support helps you build new habits and stay motivated. CHRISTUS Health offers both options to support your quit journey. Talk to your provider to create a treatment plan that works best for you and your lifestyle.
Everyone's body is different, but most symptoms fade within a few weeks, though cravings may persist longer. If symptoms continue beyond a month, talk to your provider. They can help rule out other causes and offer additional support.
There’s no instant fix, but staying hydrated, eating healthy foods, and getting regular exercise can help your body recover. Nicotine typically leaves your system within a few days, but healing takes time. Focus on wellness and give yourself grace as you heal.
If you vape, you’re still using nicotine, and that means you’re still dealing with addiction. The same strategies that help people quit smoking can help you quit vaping, too
What is Radon and How Do I Test for It?
Radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It can enter homes through cracks in floors, walls, or foundations and build up indoors. Long-term exposure to high radon levels is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
While radon levels in the southern U.S. are generally lower than in other regions, it’s still important to check your home, because radon can be present anywhere. The only way to know is to test.
You can:
- Use a DIY radon test kit, available at most hardware stores or online.
- Contact your state’s radon program for guidance and, in many cases, free or low-cost test kits.
- Hire a certified radon professional for more detailed testing.
If your home’s radon level is at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), the EPA recommends installing a radon mitigation system to safely vent radon from beneath your home.
Frequently Asked Questions About Radon
There are no signs of radon you can see, smell, or feel. Radon is an invisible, odorless gas, so the only way to know if it’s in your home is to test.
Radon exposure doesn’t cause immediate symptoms. Health problems usually appear several years later and are often linked to lung cancer.
Common signs include:
- Persistent cough that doesn’t go away
- Wheezing or shortness of breath
- Chest pain
- Coughing up blood
- Unexplained weight loss
- Fatigue
Smoking Cessation Support
Find a DoctorSupport to Quit Smoking
Ready to quit smoking? Find a doctor near you who is trained to provide support for tobacco use cessation and help you take the next step toward a healthier life.