Quitting smoking within six months of a cancer diagnosis can increase a patient’s life expectancy by an average of two years. Cancer centers have an obligation to provide evidence-based smoking cessation programs to all patients. Research shows that quitting smoking after a cancer diagnosis improves survival rates across all types of cancer. Failure to quit smoking can lead to decreased treatment effectiveness and increased complications. Clinicians should prioritize helping patients quit smoking as soon as possible to improve overall survival rates. Smoking cessation programs, such as the one at MUSC Health, offer a combination of pharmacotherapy and behavioral counseling to assist patients in quitting smoking.
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Quitting smoking after cancer diagnosis can add years to patient lives
