Study says female smokers are more likely to die of lung cancer

A new study from the University of Toronto states, that female smokers are about 26 times more likely to die of lung cancer than their nonsmoking counterparts.

The new study’s calculated rate is twice as high as the average rate cited in the 1980s.  

Lead researcher Dr. Prabhat Jha of St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto and the University of Toronto said, “The group of women that started smoking seriously in and around 1960 can be followed up only now-fully five decades later-to understand what the full consequences of smoking among women are.”

Co-researcher and former Vice President emeritus of the American Cancer Society Dr. Michael Thun said, “The steep increase in risk among female smokers has continued for decades after the serious health risks from smoking were well-established, and despite the fact that women predominantly smoked cigarette brands marketed as lower in tar and nicotine.”

The study focuses on adults who participated in the U.S. National Health Interview Survey during the years 1997 to 2004 revealed several new details about the effects of smoking on both men and women. 

The most promising findings of the study said the smokers who quit by the time they reach 40 can expect to live about as long those who never started.

Research revealed several other notable findings for those survey respondents who reportedly currently smoking, including that they had less than average education, were less likely to be overweight, and drank more alcohol.

As per the researchers, the women in their study were less likely than men to quit smoking.

The U.S. government has taken the step of requiring health insurers to begin covering smoking cessation programs as a part of the Affordable Care Act, also referred to as Obamacare.