Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center - (Page 25)

P EANUT BUTTER AND JELLY. PEAS AND CARROTS. Smoking and lung cancer. Some things just go together. In fact, 80 to 90 percent of lung cancer cases in the U.S. and Canada are directly attributed to smoking. “What many people don’t realize is that you don’t have to be a smoker in the true sense of the word to be at greater risk for this disease,” says Claudia Henschke, Ph.D., M.D., co-author of Lung Cancer: Myths, Facts, Choices—and Hope. “If you live with a smoker, smoke occasionally to relieve stress or smoked in the past, you’re at higher risk.” Here, our experts help you determine your risk on a scale of one to ﬁve (ﬁve being highest) based on your smoking, or nonsmoking, status, and offer tips for improving it. PROFILE: You’ve never smoked a day in your life, nor do you live or work with anyone who does. RISK LEVEL: 1 “Nonsmokers are deﬁnitely at the lowest risk for developing lung cancer, but they’re not out of the woods,” says Thomas Glynn, Ph.D., director of cancer science and trends for the American Cancer Society. “Other factors, including heredity and radon exposure, may increase your risk.” REDUCE YOUR RISK: Henschke says nonsmokers can further reduce their risk by making healthy lifestyle choices and, in areas where radon may be found, making sure their basements are well ventilated. Radon, a radioactive gas, is the second-leading cause of lung cancer. THE NONSMOKER BY ALISSA M. EDWARDS PROFILE: You don’t smoke daily but light up at social gatherings or when you’re stressed. RISK LEVEL: 2 “People who smoke at social gatherings or sneak a few cigarettes when life gets a little hectic may not consider themselves ‘real’ smokers, but they’re still putting themselves at real risk,” Glynn says. “The data are pretty clear: As few as one to three cigarettes a day may substantially increase your risk for lung cancer.” REDUCE YOUR RISK: Try squeezing stress balls, going for a walk or meditating instead of smoking, and don’t bring cigarettes to social events. You still may end up smoking one or two, but you’re likely to smoke less if you have to get cigarettes from someone else. Contrary to popular belief, cigarettes don’t make you less anxious or less stressed. It’s your addiction, Henschke says, that makes you feel better when you smoke. “Nicotine is a stimulant, which means it increases blood pressure, heart rate and respiration,” Henschke says. “Get help to quit. There are some very good programs out there.” THE SOMETIMES SMOKER Vim & Vigor · WI NTER 2011 25

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center
Contents
Phil's Feature
New Hip, New Life
Building Better Heart Care
Back in Action
Supplementary Knowledge
Keys to Survival
Clearing the Air
Mark Harmon of NCIS fame makes 60 look good
This One's For the Girls
Life After a Loss
Do Your Diabetes Homework
Healthy Returns
Prime Time Health
The Future of Breast Health
Growing Generosity
Out of the White Coat
Transforming Healthcare

Vim & Vigor - Winter 2011 - Gwinnett Medical Center