Why does quitting smoking reduce cancer risk?

Why does quitting smoking reduce cancer risk?Doctors say that once you're exposed to a carcinogen, you are considered to be "at risk" for the rest of your life due to the exposure (even if you are only exposed once). So, why would quitting REDUCE one's risk, shouldn't it only prevent the risk from growing larger?

p.s. if a person is exposed to a chemical carcinogen (like getting double the recommended dose in one day) will they be at risk forever and is the risk usually greatly increased from one exposure, or do most carcinogens require long term exposure at larger doses?

I ♥ Colbert
Because, by quiting smoking you would lessen the damage to your organs. It makes sense.

The longer you smoke, the more likely you'll die of emphysema, lung cancer, and etc. Doctors don't make that kind of stuff up.

crct2004
I would think that greater quantity = greater risk.

Rachel L
Kind of like how standing out in the rain for five minutes will get you damp, and standing out in the rain for three hours will get you drenched, yeah.

megalomaniac
There are many many different kinds of cancer and they act in different ways and come from different sources. Your lung function can actually improve significantly. There might be a little permanent damage but our bodies do heal themselves to a certain extent. Its only when we get beyond a certain threshold is it irreversible

c99challenger3@aol.com
My Dad, my uncle, and my best friend all died of lung cancer by age 51. Any more questions on lung cancer?

Know better? Leave your own answer in the comments! Smoking Cessation - Quit Smoking Today. Smoking Cessation helps smokers kick their nicotine addiction, providing tools, information and support for people quitting smoking.

---

Orignal From: Why does quitting smoking reduce cancer risk?