Lung cancer prevention starts with reducing your risk.
At CHRISTUS Health, we’re here to guide you with proven strategies, personalized care, and resources to help you protect your lungs and your life.
The most important step is avoiding tobacco. Quitting smoking or vaping dramatically lowers your chances of developing lung cancer, no matter your age or how long you’ve been smoking. But there’s more to prevention than quitting smoking. Regular screenings, healthy lifestyle choices, and avoiding exposure to harmful environmental substances all play a role.
Lung cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer deaths and one of the most preventable. To find out your risk, take the CHRISTUS Health lung cancer assessment.
You can quit. We're here to help.
Quitting tobacco is one of the most powerful steps you can take to protect your health, and it’s never too late to start. Whether you’ve tried before or are thinking about it for the first time, you’re not alone. At CHRISTUS Health, we support your decision to quit with compassionate care, proven strategies, and resources that meet you where you are. Because every step toward quitting is a step toward a healthier, stronger you.
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to quitting tobacco, but there are proven strategies that can help.
At CHRISTUS Health, we offer tools and support to help you find what works best for you. Talk to your primary care provider if you are ready to quit smoking.
If you’ve tried quitting before, don’t get discouraged. Most people try two or three times before finally quitting tobacco use. Studies have shown that each time you try to quit, you will be stronger and will know more about what helps and what hurts your efforts.
There are several approaches to quitting smoking. Talk to your doctor to find the methods that may work best for you.
Medications and Nicotine Replacement
You don’t have to quit overnight. Over-the-counter options like nicotine patches, gum, and lozenges can ease withdrawal symptoms and reduce cravings. Prescription medications may also help by targeting the brain’s response to nicotine.
Quitting with the help of medications or nicotine replacement therapy is a process, not an immediate change. Most people begin to see improvements in withdrawal symptoms within a few weeks, but the full journey can take several months. These tools are designed to gradually reduce your dependence on nicotine while helping you manage cravings and stay committed. Some people use nicotine replacement for 8 to 12 weeks, while others may benefit from longer support. Your provider can help you choose the right approach and timeline tailored to you.
Behavioral Support
Talking with a counselor or joining a support group can make a big difference. Whether it’s a brief conversation or a structured program, behavioral support helps you build confidence, manage stress, and stay motivated.
Simple changes can help you stay on track:
Every moment without tobacco is a win for your health. The benefits of quitting start almost immediately, and they keep building over time.
You Don’t Have to Do This Alone
Quitting smoking is hard, and it’s normal to feel overwhelmed, frustrated, or even ashamed. But shame has no place in your journey to better health. At CHRISTUS Health, we meet you with compassion, not judgment.
Your Provider Is Your Partner
Your provider is here to support you, not scold you. Even a brief conversation with a health care professional can increase your chances of quitting.
Your doctor can help you:
We believe in your ability to quit. And we’re here to help every step of the way. Find a provider near you.
Yes, most people experience withdrawal symptoms when they quit smoking. These can include cravings, irritability, anxiety, trouble sleeping, and increased appetite. These symptoms are a normal part of your body adjusting to life without nicotine, and they won't last forever.
While you may not be able to avoid withdrawal completely, you can manage it. Nicotine replacement therapies (like patches, gum, or lozenges) and medications can ease symptoms. Behavioral support, such as counseling or support groups, can also help you stay on track.
Withdrawal symptoms usually peak within the first 3 days and begin to fade after 2–4 weeks. Some people may experience lingering symptoms for a few months, but they become less intense over time. Every day without tobacco is a step toward feeling better.
Absolutely. Quitting smoking reduces your risk of many cancers, including lung, mouth, throat, bladder, kidney, and pancreas. Just 20 minutes after quitting, your body already starts to change for the better. Ten years after quitting, your risk of dying from lung cancer is about half that of someone who still smokes.
It’s never too late. No matter your age or how long you’ve smoked, quitting can improve your health. Your body begins to heal within minutes of your last cigarette, and the benefits continue to grow over time.
Quitting smoking can save you thousands of dollars each year. Beyond the cost of cigarettes, you may also reduce health care expenses and improve your productivity. In Texas alone, smoking-related health care costs exceed $8.85 billion annually.
Use this calculator to determine how much you could save when you quit smoking.
The most effective approach combines medication and counseling. Nicotine replacement therapy or prescription medications can help with cravings, while behavioral support helps you build new habits and stay motivated. CHRISTUS Health offers both options to support your quit journey. Talk to your provider to create a treatment plan that works best for you and your lifestyle.
Everyone's body is different, but most symptoms fade within a few weeks, though cravings may persist longer. If symptoms continue beyond a month, talk to your provider. They can help rule out other causes and offer additional support.
There’s no instant fix, but staying hydrated, eating healthy foods, and getting regular exercise can help your body recover. Nicotine typically leaves your system within a few days, but healing takes time. Focus on wellness and give yourself grace as you heal.
If you vape, you’re still using nicotine, and that means you’re still dealing with addiction. The same strategies that help people quit smoking can help you quit vaping, too
Radon is an invisible, odorless radioactive gas that comes from the natural breakdown of uranium in soil and rock. It can enter homes through cracks in floors, walls, or foundations and build up indoors. Long-term exposure to high radon levels is the second leading cause of lung cancer after smoking.
While radon levels in the southern U.S. are generally lower than in other regions, it’s still important to check your home, because radon can be present anywhere. The only way to know is to test.
You can:
If your home’s radon level is at or above 4 picocuries per liter (pCi/L), the EPA recommends installing a radon mitigation system to safely vent radon from beneath your home.
There are no signs of radon you can see, smell, or feel. Radon is an invisible, odorless gas, so the only way to know if it’s in your home is to test.
Radon exposure doesn’t cause immediate symptoms. Health problems usually appear several years later and are often linked to lung cancer.
Common signs include:
Ready to quit smoking? Find a doctor near you who is trained to provide support for tobacco use cessation and help you take the next step toward a healthier life.
