This latest women’s health study comes from the University of Oxford, and it gives women even more reason to quit smoking as soon as possible. It appears that the age at which a woman kicks the habit may have a significant effect on her lifespan.
What makes this study important, and the reason this information has never come to light before, is the fact that the first generation of women to smoke regularly – those born near 1940 – are only now of an age to allow for this type of research.
As to the study’s sample size, it certainly backs up the significance of the data. It was called the “Million Women Study,” and that number is far from an exaggeration. To be precise, 1.4 million women participated, and the research started back in 1996.
The study did, unfortunately, find that even light smokers faced a significantly increased risk of early death, but there were some encouraging results, as well. Specifically, while smokers in general can expect to live 10 years fewer than nonsmokers, women who stopped smoking before the age of 30 appeared to retain those years – a staggering 97% of those studied! The news is nearly as good for women who quit smoking before 40, who saw a 90% increased chance of living the ten years that never smokers can more easily take for granted.
Specific Smoking Dangers for Women
While smoking is hardly a women’s problem, and in fact most estimates say that men are 10% more likely to smoke, women do have risks specific to the gender. Some of them might surprise you.
In women, estrogen contributes to artery health by helping prevent clogging. Since smoking lowers estrogen production, it also has a more intense effect on heart health for women than for men. If you are a smoker and have taken birth control pills, you’ve likely been warned that this situation is far from ideal. The reason? Birth control pills also lower estrogen, meaning smokers taking birth control are getting a double whammy of reduced estrogen production.
Additionally, for women who become pregnant, smoking endangers the fetus, and may have long-term effects on a child. Some of these can follow children throughout their lives.
If you smoke, start creating a plan to quit now. There are multiple programs and stop smoking aids available. If you’d like to learn more, make an appointment with your doctor, or discuss the issue at your next well woman care visit.
