Part two of the blog series on healthy New Year’s resolutions focuses on quitting smoking and getting screened for cancer. Be sure to take a look at the blog that can help you eat healthier and be more active.

Quit Smoking

Quitting smoking can add years to your life, and life to your years! But it can also have immediate benefits on your health. For example, after only eight hours after quitting smoking your blood oxygen level increases and carbon monoxide levels fall. Within two weeks your lung function, stamina and circulation improve, and you’ll feel your energy level increasing. And, by this time next year, your risk of heart attack will be half as much as when you were still smoking. In five years your risk for stroke will be the same as a non-smoker, and within 15 years your life expectancy can be similar to that of someone who never smoked.

The Arizona Smokers Helpline, also called the ASHLine, can help anyone who wants to quit smoking. The ASHLine has trained quit coaches who will help you make a plan to quit tobacco and stick to it. Many of the coaches are former smokers, so they know the path to quitting smoking for good. The ASHLine can provide you with four weeks of free nicotine replacement therapy such as patches or gum. You can reach the ASHLine 24 hours a day at 800-55-66-222.

Get Screened for Cancer

This year, talk to your doctor about getting up-to-date on your cancer screenings. Getting screened at the right time is an important way to stay healthy in 2016. Detecting cancer in its earliest stages can improve a patient’s chance for survival and increases their quality of life. The “screenable” cancers include breast and cervical for women and colorectal, lung, and oral cancer for both men and women. Check out our “Get Screened” infographic to find out when you and your loved ones should get screened.

Our Well Woman HealthCheck Program can help women who meet eligibility requirements get screened for breast and cervical cancer. The Well Woman HealthCheck Program can help women obtain clinical breast exams, mammograms, pap tests, and pelvic exams. If screening results are abnormal, the program can cover ultrasounds, biopsies, and other tests as needed. The program also assists patients with referrals into treatment if cancer is diagnosed.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most preventable and treatable forms of cancer when it’s found early. Screening is the best way to prevent colon cancer because it finds cancer in early stages or before it even has the chance to grow or develop. Men and women 50 and older should know the risk factors for colorectal cancer and should talk to their doctor about getting screened for colorectal cancer. There are different tests that can screen for colorectal cancer. Visit the Colon Cancer Alliance online for more information and talk to your doctor about the type of screening that is best for you.