Two-thirds of female smokers aged over 50 die from smoking-related causes, but quitting before 40 decreases this by 90%

Commentary on: Pirie K, Peto R, Reeves GK, et al.. Million Women Study Collaborators. The 21st century hazards of smoking and benefits of stopping: a prospective study of one million women in the UK. Lancet 2013;381:133–41. Context Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death. Given that women born after 1940 smoked throughout their lifespan, studies of mortality during the 21st century are needed to understand the hazards associated with prolonged smoking and cessation. Methods In this prospective cohort study, participants completed mailed questionnaires about lifestyle, medical history and demographic factors; surveys were repeated 3 and 8 years later.1 Dates and causes of death were assessed through national records. At entry, women were asked if they were a current or ex-smoker and how many cigarettes they smoked. At 3-year follow-up, women were asked at what ages they had started smoking and stopped. Those who...
Source: Evidence-Based Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Authors: Tags: EBM Prognosis, Patients, Smoking and tobacco, Epidemiologic studies, Drugs: cardiovascular system, Stroke, Contraception, Drugs: obstetrics and gynaecology, Menopause (including HRT), Pregnancy, Drugs misuse (including addiction), Tobacco related disease, Source Type: research