Question: I was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and I am still smoking cigarettes. Does it matter if I quit now?  

Answer: There are many reasons to quit smoking cigarettes. Quitting smoking may decrease your risk for other diseases and types of cancers, improve your overall health, and save money.  

You might be surprised to learn that after a cancer diagnosis, there are even more reasons to quit. Quitting smoking after a lung cancer diagnosis has been shown to improve overall survival. In fact, the improvements in survival rates from quitting smoking alone are higher than the rates of some treatments. 

Smoking can also make some treatments less effective. It can make chemotherapy and radiation less likely to work and can increase the toxic effects of radiation. Additionally, people undergoing surgery for cancer who smoke cigarettes are at greater risk for complications. Smoking can also make wounds heal more slowly and lead to longer hospital stays. Quitting can even improve quality of life after surgery.   

Research has also shown that the earlier a person with cancer quits, the greater the effect. Quitting smoking within 6 months of a diagnosis of any cancer can add up to 1.8 years of life. Quitting between 6 months and 5 years can add up to 1.2 years of life.  

Simply put, people with cancer who quit smoking live longer.  

It is never too late to quit. It usually takes several tries, but don’t give up! Research has shown the most effective way to quit is with both supportive counseling and nicotine replacement therapy.   

Ready to try? Ask your treatment center if there’s a smoking cessation program you can join. You can also call 1-800-QUITNOW from anywhere in the United States, and they’ll route you to your state’s Quitline. Some states even offer free nicotine replacement therapies.  

It can be hard to admit you’re still smoking when you have been diagnosed with lung cancer. Sometimes, the stress of a diagnosis makes those who have quit start smoking again. GO2 for Lung Cancer offers compassion and judgement-free support. Don’t be afraid to reach out to our HelpLine at 1-800-298-2436 or support@go2.org, we are here to help.

Please note that the information included in any published answer is for educational pursuit only and is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. The reader should always consult their healthcare provider to determine the appropriateness of the information for their own situation. Nothing from GO2 for Lung Cancer should be construed as an attempt to offer or render a medical opinion.