I smoke, I worry, I eat sweets — and I still get my tests done on time.

Smoking: my sin and my fear

Let’s start with sins. I smoke. After my pregnancy, I didn’t plan to go back to this. But it became sad, and I made a wrong choice — drowning the pain in nicotine. (Don’t worry, my milk had already disappeared by then.)

I know that this is a risk factor for lung, esophageal, and stomach cancer. According to WHO, smoking causes approximately 85% of lung cancer cases and significantly increases the risk of malignant tumors of the gastrointestinal tract. The scariest thing is that symptoms often appear at late stages — that’s why it’s important to at least know your risks. I think about it constantly. Do I have the strength to quit? Not yet. Do I have the desire? To be honest — no, not really. Am I afraid of cancer? Very much. Will I smoke my whole life? Definitely not. Will I stop in Time? Who knows.

Anxiety: the chemistry of fear

I’m constantly anxious. I can literally eat myself alive with thoughts. Is this a risk factor? Yes. Nerves = cortisol. Cortisol = decreased immunity. Chronic stress really suppresses the immune response — particularly the activity of NK cells (natural killers), which recognize and destroy potentially malignant cells. Research from Harvard Medical School confirmed: prolonged exposure to cortisol decreases the body's ability to fight potentially dangerous cells. Decreased immunity = ideal conditions for a cell that should have disappeared to decide to stay.

I don’t lose consciousness every time I’m anxious. I’m working on myself. I analyze situations that throw me off balance. I acknowledge my successes where I used to only criticize myself. And every day I tell myself: if I worry at least 30 seconds less — that’s already a victory.

The presented text contains measured language that reveals the news about the harm of smoking and anxiety in a more light and accessible format. The author expresses their own thoughts and feelings, sharing personal experiences, as well as citing facts and research to support the mentioned aspects. The entire text has a light, lively style that helps the reader better understand the negative impact of smoking and stress on human health.