What to know about quitting smoking after a lung cancer diagnosis

Quitting tobacco is one of the best steps you can take following a lung cancer diagnosis. Compared to people with lung cancer who continue to smoke, research suggests that people who quit may improve their quality of life, respond better to treatment, and live longer.

Here’s how quitting tobacco can improve your health, and the challenges people with lung cancer may experience while quitting. Plus, learn how healthcare providers can help you quit for good.

The health benefits of quitting

Cigarette smoking is the number one cause of lung cancer, and is associated with up to 90 percent of lung cancer deaths in the United States. For those with lung cancer, one of the earliest advantages of smoking cessation is often improved quality of life. Quitting may help you breathe easier, have more energy, and improve your mood. Quitting is also linked to better sleep, less pain, and improved appetite (which can be affected by cancer). It may improve other medical conditions that affect your overall health, such as heart disease or diabetes, as well.

Quitting cigarettes can help your cancer treatments work better, too. Non-smoking lung cancer patients often respond better to radiation (high-dose X-rays) and chemotherapy (drugs that kill or slow the growth of cancer cells), and experience fewer side effects than those who continue to smoke. They may also have a lower risk of complications after surgery and recover faster from treatment.

Compared to people with lung cancer who still smoke, those who quit have a lower risk of cancer recurrence, when cancer grows back after treatment. Plus, they’re less likely to develop a second type of cancer unrelated to their original lung cancer, either at the same time or in the future.

People who quit cigarettes after being diagnosed with lung cancer may also live longer. Many studies have found that more people are still alive five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer when they quit tobacco, compared to those who continued to smoke.

Challenges of quitting after diagnosis

Despite the numerous benefits, many people with lung cancer continue smoking, for several reasons. Some may not be aware the benefits of quitting or believe it’s too late—believing their lungs are already damaged and quitting may not make a difference. Some may blame themselves for developing cancer or feel uncomfortable discussing their habit with a healthcare provider.

Some may feel they should enjoy cigarettes while they have time. Still others may depend on tobacco to cope with the stress of lung cancer diagnosis. Many have tried to quit before—and may have felt discouraged when their quit attempts were not successful.

Everyone has a different experience with lung cancer, and a different experience with the challenges of quitting tobacco. It can help to discuss your experience with your cancer care team. They can help you find an approach that works for you and improves your chances of quitting successfully,

How your healthcare team can help

To get started, talk with your healthcare team and ask them about quitting. Asking questions and staying open about your tobacco use can help your healthcare team guide you to an effective smoking cessation method, suggest lifestyle changes to help you succeed, recommend resources for support, and answer questions about how your insurance may help cover some costs. They can also advise you on handling secondhand smoke at home; studies suggest those in smoke-free homes quit more successfully.

If you feel like your healthcare provider isn’t meeting your needs, speak with another member of your team. No matter your health situation, it’s never too late to quit smoking.