Rung 5 · Established
Stay tobacco-free
The single largest preventable cause of cancer in the U.S.
PreventionYou can do this
What studies found
The 2025 Surgeon General advisory ranks tobacco first among preventable causes of cancer, ahead of excess weight and alcohol. The 2020 Surgeon General's report found that quitting lowers the risk of 12 cancers, including lung, colon and rectum.
The catch
No form of tobacco is safe.
What to do
If you smoke, quitting at any age lowers risk. Ask your doctor or a quit line about support and medicines.
Sources
Rung 5 of 5, Established: Large randomized trials or overwhelming, consistent human evidence; reflected in major guidelines. How we score
To take it to your doctor, print this page.
Step by step
For the whole picture, from prevention and screening to treatment and life after, see the colorectal cancer and lung cancer pages.
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