Dr Charlotte Dean says lungs can repair after quitting smoking
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 4
Dr Charlotte Dean says lungs can repair after quitting smoking
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 4
The Imperial College London researcher said lungs have substantial healing capacity, but smoking and vaping can overwhelm it with toxic particles and some people remain more vulnerable to lasting damage.
She warned quitting does not erase all harm, because smoking may already have caused mutations, genetic changes or tissue damage that can speed age-related decline or lead to cancer.
Dean urged smokers to stop as early as possible, saying lung tissue repairs less effectively with age, while exercise and a healthy lifestyle can help support better lung function.
Why do some lifelong smokers avoid cancer? Could their genetic secrets unlock new ways to boost lung repair for everyone?
Could a new protein therapy entering trials in 2027 finally regenerate lungs damaged by smoking and chronic disease?
Scientists found a molecular 'switch' that balances lung repair and defense. Can we learn to control it to accelerate healing?
Breakthrough Study Reveals Lungs’ Remarkable Self-Repair Capacity After Quitting Smoking
Overview
A groundbreaking 2026 study revealed that ex-smokers' lungs have a remarkable ability to regenerate, containing up to four times more healthy cells than current smokers. This regeneration happens because quitting smoking triggers a hidden reservoir of healthy lung cells to proliferate and replace damaged ones, significantly reducing genetic mutations and lowering lung cancer risk. This natural repair is supported by protective gene pathways and influenced by factors like genetics, age, and lifestyle. Although some damage from long-term smoking is irreversible, emerging stem cell therapies and regenerative drugs offer hope to enhance lung recovery, prompting updated health strategies that emphasize quitting smoking and future medical treatments.