You will find statistics on smoking and mortality if you do your own research, but you won’t find an answer to your question. I’ve been reading a lot of statistical data on survival rates for Stage 3-4 lung cancer. My mother was diagnosed with this in August. But I don’t have an answer, and the doctors can’t provide one either, as far as how long she will live. I do know that she quit smoking 40 years ago after 20 years of smoking. And every time I walk past someone who is smoking, I want to stop and ask them why they would risk their health, and the health of others, in this way? The fact that you’re asking your question on this forum suggests to me that you’re worried. Why not minimize the risk as much as possible and quit today?

Santi,i started wnile in high school,early 1970s.endedup smoking 2 packs aday.Smoked for over 30 years.Started getting problems with pnemonia, no real smokers cough.Doctor would say youhave to quit.would think obout it , then lignt up.Afrer 3 weeks inhospital toldiihad copd ,this was around 2003,tried to cut down no good around 2005 inhospital again had a pulmonologist also.got to point was useing my vacation time from work every year to cover my hospital time,started getting harder doing things.by 2009 after 2 weeks inhospital told myself i gotta quit ,copd so bad.quit in 2oo9 cold turkey.not everyone get copd and its not cureable so im now considered end stage.Onoxyjen24 7 been on ventolator to breath 4 x at hospital.A flight of stairs too much,go out to car mywife drives,i need time to get my wind back by leani g against care before getting in,imnot kidding , when your 63 on ssi disability cant even take out bagof trash ,not enough breath,i realizenot everyone gets copd but this is where my chipsfell.ps alsohad lung cancer in 2014 thats in remission,wish i had quit before i had copd.I dont consider 63old but i also realize the rest of my life is on a wheelchair and oxyjen and every hospital trip makes me wish.

Hi Wendy:
I am delighted that you are on Connect. I understand the fear that goes along with a Stage 3 or Stage 4 or any diagnosis of lung cancer. As a lung cancer patient (who never smoked) and survivor, you never forget hearing the shocking words, "You have lung cancer"! However, there is hope, since my diagnosis in 2008 the research and medical advancements have been remarkable.

You bring up a valid point, "Why would people risk their health and the health of others and put a fire stick loaded with nicotine to their lips?"

Could it be lack of education about "lungs"? (lets say, in comparison to our heart, breast or prostate)
With all of the Stop Smoking billboards and TV commercials, we all know we should NOT smoke, correct? But how much do people really know about their lungs?

Let me know your thoughts on connecting together and discussing what we do know about our lungs, how we can teach our
children all of the fun facts about lungs, and possibly have our children take the knowledge home to their mothers and families
and let the work know all of the amazing things they never knew about their lungs?

Together lets get the movement started for Lung Health Awareness... I'll start by introducing this fun:

Did you know that the surface area of your lungs are as large as a tennis court? /Users/lindawortman/Desktop/IMG_2645.jpeg

What lung facts can you share?

linda

@llwortman Your image didn't show up. Looks to be linked from your local pc.

Fascinating fact about your lungs. #themoreyouknow

Mark
BecomeAnEX.org Community Manager

Welcome to Connect, @markatbecomeanex.
Please allow me to introduce Mark to everyone. Become an Ex – a collaboration by Truth Initiative® and Mayo Clinic – a thriving community. See more information about our collaboration and how to join the BecomeAnEx community here: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/become-an-ex-smoker/

Thanks for the welcome @colleenyoung! I'm glad to be here and look forward to participating here and also to have Connect members join us on BecomeAnEX to get support and knowledge to get quit or help someone else quit.

Mark
BecomeAnEX Community Manager

Perhaps education through a smoking cessation program will help you better understand your questions, your addiction and retrain your brain .

I was a commercial airline crew member for 35 years. I worked in second and third hand smoke. I was also very athletic and I never smoked!
Now get this: I never smoked. It was Not my choice, that I had lung cancer! I had to have a lung surgerciakly removed after my shocking diagnosis.
Preceded by a chocking cough for two years, that local doctors told me was psychological... no one thought a Never Smoker could get lung cancer!!!

We all need to be educated about lung cancer and lung health!

My life and breath was saved! But I will tell you this, it was the most painful experience of my 58 years of living.

I am a 10 year survivor. It was not easy!!! It took me three years to walk and breath anywhere normal again!

Now when I work out and ‘run with one lung’
people stare! They even say, Why do you breath so wired?
When I say, I had lung cancer, too often they assume I smoked.
Some people say, “You smoke? You deserve to die!” It’s harsh isn’t it? ...even when you never smoked, it’s harsh to here those words!

Do I really have to tell you how horrible the smoking stigma is?
My life insurance was cancelled by my insurance company! People do not believe I never smoked! I was required to go through Nicotine Rehab! I never smoked!!!

I hate the smell of cigarettes and smoking makes me physically ill.

We all know smoking is deadly!
it is in our face everyday!

So please do not make excuses. There is no doubt that there is documentation about the negative effects is tobacco. There are also some factual televised documentaries about the evils of big tobacco!

Last I checked, no one can tell anyone how long they have to live...no one gets out of here alive, right?
But isn’t living and the choices we make about Quality Of Life?

Help is available.

The life you save may not be your own. Please think about that!
linda

When I was 45 I thought I was strong enough to never get sick with lung cancer or diseases. I smoked for 45 yrs. total. I am now 64 and recently diagnosed with Copd. I am still smoking but cut down to 6 cigarettes a day. I have been trying to stop smoking for a year now and it is tough. I have a support group, patches and lozenges and still smoking. I am not strong enough to quit copd so I had better get my butt in gear and quit, even though, I am still fighting it.

Hi Desirea:Welcome to connect. Think about reading or at least looking at Dr Amit Soods book Happiness, his TED X Talk, and his meditation...all about the brain and body connection!combined with your breath and relaxation Amazing, insightful, healing in many ways. I know this because I am a 10 year lung cancer survivor...i have accomplished things I never dreamed possible with most of my left lung gone due to lung cancer & I neVer smoked;-)Keep up your great work. COPD and kung cancer are horrible!linda 

Thanks so much Linda for the book referral and welcome. I would also like to learn to meditate again. It's been years since I did. I am very sorry to hear about your lung cancer and relying on one lung and not even a smoker. What a shame! Thanks again for writing. Lorraine