Stopping smoking lowers risk of bladder cancer in women

Stopping smoking leaves postmenopausal women at a lower risk of bladder cancer than those who continue to smoke, new research confirms.  The greatest reduction in risk versus ongoing smoking was seen in the first 10 years after quitting, according to the study by scientists at Indiana University in the US.  Postmenopausal former smokers’ risk continued to decline versus ongoing smokers after that time but failed to reach the same level as those who had never smoked even more than 30 years after quitting.   Smoking is the largest known risk factor for bladder cancer. But Dr Yueyao Li, who led the study, said evidence on how risk might change over time after stopping smoking was €œinconsistent€.   This research, said Li, highlights how €œeven those who have smoked for many years stand to benefit