The Great American Smokeout is Thursday, November 16

The American Cancer Society sponsors the “Great American Smokeout” each year to raise awareness about the dangers of smoking. Smoking is widely known to increase risks for heart disease, lung disease, pregnancy complications, and diabetes. Did you know that smoking may also increase your risk for conditions and diseases of the digestive system including colon cancer? If you smoke, quitting is a huge step you can take to improve your overall health. We offer resources below to get you started.

Reasons to quit smoking

Cigarette smoking is responsible for more than 480,000 deaths per year in the United States, including nearly 42,000 deaths resulting from secondhand smoke exposure. On average, smokers die 10 years earlier than non-smokers.

Here are 10 reasons why we encourage our patients who smoke to quit smoking:

1. Smoking increases the risk of cancers of the mouth, esophagus, stomach, and pancreas. (For certain cancers, especially esophageal cancer, smoking along with alcohol use increases the risk even more.)
2. Research suggests that smoking may increase the risk of cancers of the liver, colon, and rectum.
3. Smoking increases the risk of developing colon polyps.
4. Smoking increases the risk of heartburn and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Nicotine, a key part of tobacco, is thought to relax the ring of muscle in the lower esophagus that keeps acid in the stomach, where it belongs. When that ring relaxes, acid can trickle up and cause a burning sensation.
5. Smoking increases the risk of peptic ulcers.
6. Smoking may worsen some liver diseases, including primary biliary cirrhosis and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
7. Smoking increases the risk of developing Crohn’s disease.
8. Smoking increases the risk of developing pancreatitis.
9. Some studies suggest that smoking may increase the risk of developing gallstones.
10. Smoking also depresses appetite, so you may not be getting all the nutrients your body needs to function properly.

Resources to help you quit

It is not easy to quit smoking. We encourage our patients to seek help. Here are a few ideas.

The American Cancer Society has a variety of tools and resources to help, including online and in-person support. Getting help through counseling or medications can double or triple the chances of quitting smoking for good. Click here to learn more.

Quit Now Virginia is a toll-free tobacco cessation phone counseling service that is provided to Virginia residents aged 13 and older 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Callers may receive one-on-one cessation counseling, information and self-help materials. Click here to learn more.

If you’re looking to help a loved one or friend quit, the American Cancer Society also has tips to best support them. Click here for ways to help your friends and family quit.

Start today!

Stop smoking and you will begin to see health benefits after one day!

If you are 50 or older, another important step you can take is to be screened for colon cancer. (90% of colon cancers are found in people who are 50 and older.) A Screening Colonoscopy test is one of the best ways to prevent colon cancer.

The providers at Richmond Gastroenterology treat all types of digestive conditions. Contact us to schedule an appointment.

Disclaimer: This blog article is intended to be informative and is not medical advice.