Why Should I Quit Smoking After a Cancer Diagnosis?

Most people know that smoking is a risk factor for lung cancer, but many don’t realize that smoking causes approximately 20% of all cancers, according to the American Cancer Society.

If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer and are a smoker, it’s still important to quit smoking to improve your quality of life and your cancer treatment.

“There have been many studies that focus on medical treatment and outcomes for patients with cancer,” said Costantine Albany, MD, medical oncologist with Franciscan Health Cancer Center Lafayette. “Non-smokers have higher survival rates, less treatment complications, lower rates of recurrence, and overall a better quality of life after their cancer diagnosis.”

It’s never too late to experience the benefits of a smoke-free life.

How Can Quitting Smoking Help During My Cancer Treatment?

No matter if you’re having surgery, radiation, or chemotherapy to treat your cancer, you may experience fatigue. Fatigue is most common with chemotherapy. Stopping smoking can increase your energy level because of improved oxygen flow through your body. You may also experience easier breathing as soon as one week after quitting.

Cancer treatments are more effective for non-smokers The increase in oxygen also helps with radiation by allowing the cancerous cells to be more sensitive to the radiation therapy.

Chemotherapy medications also work better in non-smoking patients. The chemicals in cigarettes can make chemotherapy drugs less effective by reducing levels of the chemo medication.

For patients undergoing surgery to treat their cancer, smoking can increase the chances of slow wound healing, infection, and longer hospital stays.

“Overall, non-smokers will have a better treatment result and will recover faster from cancer surgery and treatment than smokers, because their body is better equipped to heal itself following these sometimes very harsh procedures and medications,” said Dr. Albany.

How Does Being Smoke-Free Help After Cancer Treatment?

A major reason to stop smoking after a cancer diagnosis is to lessen the risk of recurrence or a secondary cancer forming. Smoking can cause of cancer in many areas of the body, in addition the obvious places such as your lungs, trachea, mouth and throat. Some of these additional cancer types include:

• Colon and rectum
• Stomach
• Pancreas
• Bladder
• Cervix
• Blood
• Kidney

How Can I Quit Smoking After Cancer Diagnosis? 

If you’re ready to quit smoking, talk to your primary care physician, your cancer care physician such as your oncologist or radiologist, or reach out to a local hospital for support.

Franciscan Health offers the Aspire Program to help patients quit smoking for good. The Aspire Program is currently offered in Crown Point, Dyer, Hammond, Indianapolis, Lafayette and Munster. The smoking cessation program provides helpful resources such as: 

• Individual plans and coaching sessions: Each person is unique, so a plan tailored to your needs and your cancer journey are important. Setting a quit date, goals, and having trusted professionals to walk with you through your plan can be encouraging.
• Medication management: Using medications to quit smoking can double your chance of success by reducing cravings and symptoms of nicotine withdrawal. There are several FDA-approved medications that your doctor may prescribe.
• Group classes: Education on the benefits of smoking, stress management, and nutrition and weight management can help you increase your mental and physical health.

How Can I Handle The Stress Of Cancer When Quitting Smoking?

Receiving a cancer diagnosis can bring about many emotions. Patients may feel grief, a sense of overwhelm, or anger. The stress of cancer can make it challenging to quit smoking.

“This can be a really stressful time, and it’s understandable that someone who has smoked for many years might want to reach for a cigarette to calm their nerves,” said Laura Arent, tobacco treatment specialist and Franciscan Health Aspire program coordinator in northern Indiana. “It’s important to be kind and patient with yourself as you quit smoking, especially during a life-changing event.” 

In addition to smoking cessation medication and working with a provider through a cessation program, patients may find comfort in stress-relieving activities.

• Yoga or Tai Chi: The slow and purposeful movements of yoga and tai chi can help you relax and slow your breathing. These can both help with balance, but if you’re weak or unsteady on your feet due to your treatment, try chair yoga instead.
• Take a walk in nature: Keeping up with physical activity can increase your overall stamina, and being in nature can have a calming effect on all your senses.
• Enjoy art or music therapy: Art therapy can be used to process your emotions as well as unleash your creativity. Music can help you relax during times of stress.
• Get a massage: A massage can not only be relaxing, but provide support for stressed muscles and improve lymphatic drainage. During cancer treatment, it’s important to find an oncology massage therapist who is trained to know the correct technique for cancer patients.

Many nonprofit organizations that support cancer survivors provide some of these activities and other programs for free, such as Cancer Support Community Indiana, which serves cancer patients and their caregivers throughout Indiana.

Be sure to consult with your medical team before beginning any exercise program or even receiving massage during cancer treatment.