What is a long-term benefit of quitting smoking related to cancer risk?

Quitting smoking leads to a substantial reduction in lung cancer risk over the long term. Specifically, research indicates that individuals who stop smoking can reduce their risk of developing lung cancer by approximately 50% compared to those who continue to smoke. This reduction in risk does not occur immediately; instead, it gradually decreases over time as the body begins to heal from the damage caused by tobacco use.

The reduction in lung cancer risk is a powerful incentive for individuals to quit smoking, as lung cancer is one of the most deadly forms of cancer and is strongly correlated with smoking behavior. It's worth noting that while there are also reductions in the risk for other types of cancer, the statistic of a 50% reduction specifically applies to lung cancer, making this information particularly significant for preventing one of the most lethal consequences of smoking.