Updated on June 21, 2024.
If you have lung cancer, quitting tobacco is one of the best things you can do. Compared to people who keep smoking, people who quit may:
- Improve their quality of life
- Respond better to treatment
- Live longer
Here’s how stopping can improve your health. Plus, learn how healthcare providers (HCPs) can help you quit for good.
The early health benefits of quitting
Cigarette smoking is the top cause of lung cancer. It’s linked to about 90 percent of lung cancer deaths in the United States.
If you have lung cancer and stop smoking, you may start to feel better in a few different ways. Quitting can help you:
- Breathe easier
- Have more energy
- Improve your mood
- Sleep better
- Feel less pain
- Have a better appetite
Quitting may also improve other health issues, like heart disease or diabetes.
Quitting and lung cancer treatment
When you stop smoking, your cancer treatments may work better than if you kept smoking. The following may happen. You may:
- Respond better to radiation, which are high-dose x-rays
- Respond better to chemotherapy, or drugs that kill or slow the growth of cancer cells
- Have fewer side effects from treatment
- Have a lower risk of problems after surgery
- Recover faster from treatment
- Have a lower risk of the cancer coming back
- Be less likely to have a second cancer that’s not related to the lung cancer
- Live longer
Challenges of quitting after diagnosis
There are clear benefits to quitting. But many people with lung cancer keep smoking. This may be for several reasons. They may:
- Not know about the benefits of quitting
- Believe their lungs are already damaged and quitting may not make a difference
- Blame themselves for developing cancer
- Feel uncomfortable talking about their smoking with an HCP
- Feel they should enjoy cigarettes while they have time
- Depend on tobacco to cope with the stress of lung cancer diagnosis
Keep in mind: Many people with lung cancer have tried to quit smoking in the past. They may have felt down or disappointed when it didn’t work. They may also worry they’ll never succeed.
How your healthcare team can help
Everyone has a different experience with quitting tobacco. It can help to talk to your cancer care team. They can do the following.
- Help you find a quitting approach that works for you
- Suggest lifestyle changes to help you succeed
- Give advice about handling secondhand smoke at home
- Recommend resources for support
- Discuss how to cover costs
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. Be open and honest about your tobacco use. If your HCP isn’t meeting your needs, speak with another member of your team.
Remember: It’s never too late to quit smoking.
