Most of us have participated in some aspect of this discussion. Lung cancer is often diagnosed when the chance for a cure is not what we would hope for. Quitting smoking is not an easy task, and can cost time feeling irritable, anxious, and uncomfortable.

What is someone facing this diagnosis, or a caring family member to do?

Hail D-Day!

Quitting smoking makes a difference for those diagnosed with lung cancer. In the case where surgery offers a chance for the cure, survival is improved for those who give up the habit. And for those who are hoping that treatment will improve their survival, perhaps until we find a cure, laying aside the cigarettes appears to make therapy more effective.

Great information to assist you and your loved ones kick the habit is available, and you are worth it!

References:
Smoking Affects Prognosis after Lung Cancer Surgery. Nakamura, H. et al. 2008. Surgery Today. 38(3)227-231.
Effect of Smoking During Radiotherapy, Respiratory Insufficiency, and Hemoglobin Levels on Outcome in Patients Irradiated for Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer. Rades, D. et al. 2008. International Journal of Radiation Oncology, Biology and Physics. Feb 5(Epub ahead of time.)