4 Reasons To Quit Smoking After a Cancer Diagnosis

If you’ve been diagnosed with cancer, quitting smoking may not be at the top of your mind. With everything you’re facing during cancer treatment, it’s understandable if the idea of quitting feels stressful, or if you’re unsure whether it still matters.

But this is exactly the right time to try to quit smoking, says pulmonologist and smoking cessation specialist Humberto Choi, MD.

Dr. Choi explains the risks of smoking during cancer treatment and how quitting can help prep your body to fight cancer.

How smoking can impact cancer treatments

“Quitting smoking, even after a cancer diagnosis, can make a big difference, not only in your overall health, but also in your ability to bounce back after treatment,” Dr. Choi says.

Here’s a look at some of the ways that smoking affects you when you’re going through treatment for cancer.

1. Worsens the side effects of cancer treatment

Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can cause uncomfortable side effects like fatigue, nausea, hair loss, skin problems and pain — and research shows that smoking makes these side effects even worse.

In one study, even six months after treatment, people who smoked continued to report more severe side effects from their cancer treatment than people who didn’t smoke.

“If you’re able to quit smoking before starting treatment, you’re likely to experience side effects similar to people who don’t smoke,” Dr. Choi says.

2. Makes chemotherapy less effective

There’s evidence that smoking changes the way your body processes chemotherapy drugs. This makes them less effective than they would be if you didn’t smoke.

“The chemicals in cigarettes ultimately lower the concentration of chemotherapy medication in your body,” Dr. Choi explains. “That makes it more difficult for chemotherapy to do the job of killing cancer cells.”

3. Increases your risk of complications

Smoking makes it harder for your body to recover from cancer treatment, especially those that involve surgery. It also increases your risk of complications after surgery.

“Smoking really impacts every part of your body, from your circulation and cardiovascular health to your overall immune system and your body’s ability to heal from wounds,” Dr. Choi points out.

A global health report shows that people who smoke tobacco are at a significantly higher risk for complications after surgery than people who don’t smoke. It found that quitting at least four weeks before surgery lowered the risk of complications like:

• Heart and lung problems
• Infections
• Slower wound healing

4. Increases your risk of cancer recurrence

If your cancer treatment is successful, quitting smoking lessens the chances that a different type of cancer will return.

When it comes to lung cancer, this may seem obvious. But smoking can cause many other types of cancer, too, including cancers of the:

• Larynx
• Throat
• Mouth
• Kidney
• Bladder
• Liver
• Pancreas

“In short, smoking is a risk factor for virtually all cancers,” Dr. Choi says.

If at first you don’t succeed, keep trying

Maybe you’ve tried to quit smoking in the past but couldn’t stick with it. And if so, you’re not alone. The American Lung Association reports that the average person who smokes attempts to quit seven times before finally quitting for good — but one study suggests it could be closer to 30 times.

The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone.

“The first step in quitting smoking is simply talking with your healthcare provider,” Dr. Choi encourages. “Some people feel embarrassed or worried about bringing it up. But there’s no judgment. We’re here to support you."

There is a wide range of options that can help you make quitting last, including:

• Smoking cessation programs
• Nicotine replacement products
• Medication
• Hypnosis
• Psychotherapy
• Acupuncture

Being open with your treatment team can help you find the resources to quit for good, which can drastically improve your quality of life — and the chances that your treatment will be successful.

“Even if you’ve already been diagnosed with cancer or with another condition, you will still benefit from quitting,” he reiterates. “It’s never too late to quit. And the sooner, the better.”