Daijiworld Media Network - Mumbai

Mumbai, Aug 31: Quitting smoking remains one of the most important steps to reduce the risk of lung cancer, but the effects of past tobacco use can persist for years. Regular physical activity may offer additional health benefits and could help lower the risk among former smokers, though experts caution that exercise cannot reverse smoking-related damage.

Dr Mohammad Mithi, consultant oncologist at Saifee Hospital, Mumbai, said lung cancer remains a major health concern in India, with around one lakh people diagnosed with the disease every year. He noted that about 85% of these cases are linked to tobacco smoking, underlining the importance of quitting tobacco.

According to Dr Mithi, the risk of lung cancer declines after a person stops smoking, but may not return to the same level as someone who has never smoked. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle, including regular exercise, may nevertheless help reduce overall health risks.

He referred to a 2019 study which found that former smokers with higher levels of physical fitness had a lower risk of developing lung cancer. The research also indicated that some people who continued smoking but maintained better fitness appeared to have longer survival. However, Dr Mithi stressed that exercise cannot completely undo the damage caused by tobacco.

“Exercising can reduce swelling in the body, make the immune system stronger, and improve how the lungs and heart work,” he said, adding that regular physical activity can also help prevent overweight and obesity, which are associated with several cancers and other diseases.

The oncologist cautioned that exercise should not be considered a substitute for quitting smoking. While physical activity can support overall health, there is no evidence that exercise alone can prevent lung cancer in the way that quitting smoking can reduce the risk.

“Exercising cannot fix the damage that smoking did to your body. There is no proof that exercising alone can stop lung cancer like quitting smoking can,” Dr Mithi said.

He advised former smokers to combine regular physical activity with medical evaluation based on their individual risk factors rather than relying solely on exercise for protection against lung cancer.