Smoking and Cancer
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Stopping smoking has important benefits and many of these happen straight away. It is not easy to quit, but there are lots of resources to make this process easier.
This information from the NHS better health resources describes the changes to your body and the benefits of stopping smoking.
Quit smoking – Better Health – NHS
We recommend stopping smoking as there are many dangers of smoking for people living with and beyond cancer, which include:
- Increased Risk of Cancer Progression:
Cigarette smoke contains 69 known carcinogens and can promote the growth and spread of cancer.
- Weakened Immune System:
Smoking weakens the immune system, which can affect the body’s ability to fight cancer cells and infections.
- Reduced Effectiveness of Cancer Treatment:
Smoking can reduce the effectiveness of cancer treatments, including chemotherapy and radiation therapy. It can interfere with how the body metabolises cancer drugs, making them less effective at targeting cancer cells.
It may also increase the chance of developing side effects of treatment such as nausea and fatigue.
- Increased Risk of Complications:
Smoking can affect wound healing, increase the risk of infection, and complicate recovery from surgery.
It can also increase the likelihood of blood clots and other cardiovascular problems.
Top tips to help you stop smoking
Access specialist support from a stop smoking advisor to help you with this process.
You’ll receive:
- Advice and behavioural support,
- Access to free stop smoking medication or an e-cigarette vape kit,
- Self-help materials like a smokefree diary and
- Access to smokefree Apps and digital tools.
Resources
NHS Smokefree Helpline on 0300 123 1044
Quit smoking – Better Health – NHS
Download the free NHS Quit Smoking app.