Three Strong Motivations to Stop Smoking Following a Cancer Diagnosis
Cancer Diagnosis: The Importance of Quitting Smoking During Treatment
A cancer diagnosis can lead to feelings of despair, and quitting smoking may seem least priority in such a challenging time. Despite the hardships, Dr. Nathan Pennell, an oncologist from Cleveland Clinic, advises that this could be the most critical moment to consider giving up cigarettes. Here's why.
- Lessened Treatment Challenges
Smoking can worsen the side effects of cancer treatments like chemotherapy, which already cause uncomfortable symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, hair loss, skin problems, and pain. In fact, research suggests that smoking intensifies these side effects, even six months post-treatment. However, if you manage to quit smoking before starting treatment, you are likely to experience similar side effects as non-smokers.
- Enhanced Treatment Efficacy
Smoking affects various body systems, including circulation, cardiovascular health, the immune system, and wound healing. During cancer treatment, particularly surgical procedures, smoking hinders your body's recovery and increases the risk of complications, such as slow healing wounds. Moreover, smoking alters how the body processes chemotherapy drugs, making them less effective.
- Reduced Risk of Recurrence
Upon a successful treatment, giving up smoking will decrease the likelihood of another cancer type emerging. It is essential to note that smoking causes numerous types of cancer, including cancers of the larynx, throat, mouth, kidney, bladder, liver, pancreas, and more. Smoking is, in fact, a risk factor for nearly all cancers.
If past attempts to quit smoking have failed, take heart. The American Lung Association reports that people who smoke typically need to try quitting seven times before finally doing so successfully. Seek help from qualified resources, such as smoking cessation classes, nicotine replacement products, medication, hypnosis, psychotherapy, or acupuncture.
Open communication with your healthcare provider is the first step toward quitting smoking. Many people feel ashamed about their smoking habits and shy away from informing their doctors, but admitting your situation can help you access the necessary resources to quit. Cancer treatment teams are well-equipped to provide assistance, so you don't have to face this challenge alone.
- Quitting smoking during cancer treatment can lessen the challenges faced during treatment, as side effects like fatigue, nausea, hair loss, skin problems, and pain may be alleviated, for non-smokers typically experience similar side effects.
- Giving up cigarettes enhances the efficacy of treatment, as smoking hinders recovery from surgical procedures and alters how the body processes chemotherapy drugs, making them less effective.
- Reducing smoking reduces the risk of cancer recurrence, as smoking is a risk factor for various types of cancer, including cancers of the larynx, throat, mouth, kidney, bladder, liver, pancreas, among others.
- For those who have struggled to quit smoking in the past, it's important to remember that it often takes multiple attempts to quit smoking successfully. Seek help from qualified resources, such as smoking cessation classes, nicotine replacement products, medication, hypnosis, psychotherapy, acupuncture, or open communication with healthcare providers to access the necessary resources and support.
