Expert: Michael Dean - 5/21/2009

Question
HI my name is Sarah, I'm 20 years old and I've been smoking for a little over
two years. I've quit twice with chantix ... for 6 months. Right now, I'm at like 4
cigs a day.... If I'm out drinking, I can chain smoke really well. I get chest
pains sometimes and I'm freaking out that I have lung cancer.  I just bought
nic gum so I wanna start tmw. Am at at a high risk for lung cancer?  When I
quit, will my body repair the damage?

Answer
Dear Sarah,

It is very highly unlikely for you to have lung cancer. It almost never occurs in anyone age 20.

But is great that you are so determined to quit. The gum or patches work for a lot of people. Many smokers take several ties to quit, so keep up your good attitude and determination.

Try to stay out of situations where you are likely to smoke. Where do you live? Can you find places to drink where they don't allow smoking? Get your friends to support you. Those that don't might not be real friends. You can always call 1-800-QUIT-NOW for help and resources. Depending on where you live, you might get free patches or gum, and free online counceling.

Do you have a faith you can lean on for help?

Yes your body will heal after you quit. The risk of heart disease goes away very quickly. Some risk of cancer remains throughout your life, but you did not smoke that long. The sooner you can quit and stay quit the better.

If the chest pains don't go away or get worse, I would see a doctor.

Or for online resources:
http://smokefree.gov/

I have a site with info as well:
http://artsciencepub.com/quitting.htm

Let me know how this goes,

Good luck,

Michael Dean, Ph.D.
Author "Empty Cribs-The Impact of Smoking on Child Health"
http//www.artsciencepub.com