A recent study led by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health researchers found that quitting smoking before being diagnosed with lung cancer is associated with higher survival rates.
The study followed 5,594 patients with non-small cell lung cancer, the most common type of lung cancer.
The team found that current smokers had a 68% higher mortality rate compared to those who never smoked, while former smokers had a 26% higher mortality rate.
The study found that pre-diagnosis smoking cessation can significantly increase the chances of survival even after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
The longer a patient went without smoking, the more health benefits they received.
Doubling the years of smoking cessation before their diagnosis was significantly associated with prolonged survival for former smokers.
Conversely, doubling smoking-pack years was associated with shorter survival among current and former smokers diagnosed with lung cancer.
While never smoking was associated with the best odds of survival, the researchers noted that associations between survival and smoking history may vary depending on the clinical stage at which lung cancer was diagnosed.
Additionally, the study did not account for the different kinds of treatment participants were receiving.
The researchers also found that most of the study’s participants were former smokers.
This allowed them to focus on the impacts of smoking cessation rather than comparing mortality rates between current and never smokers.
This study is important in emphasizing the benefits of quitting smoking, even for those who have already been diagnosed with lung cancer.
It’s crucial to note that smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, and quitting smoking can significantly reduce the risk of developing lung cancer.
Therefore, quitting smoking is important not only for those who have been diagnosed with lung cancer but also for everyone’s overall health and well-being.
To summarize, the study highlights the importance of quitting smoking before being diagnosed with lung cancer.
Quitting smoking can strongly increase the chances of survival even after being diagnosed with lung cancer.
It’s never too late to quit smoking and improve your health, and quitting smoking can reduce the risk of developing lung cancer and other health problems.
How to quit smoking early
Quitting smoking is a challenging process, but it is possible with the right approach and support. Here are some tips to help you quit smoking early:
Set a quit date: Choose a date to stop smoking and stick to it.
Make a plan: Create a plan for how you will cope with cravings and triggers. This could include using nicotine replacement therapy, practicing relaxation techniques, or finding healthy distractions.
Get support: Reach out to friends and family for support, or consider joining a quit-smoking support group.
Avoid triggers: Stay away from situations or people that make you want to smoke.
Reward yourself: Celebrate your progress and reward yourself for meeting your goals. This could be buying something you’ve been wanting or treating yourself to a fun activity.
Practice self-care: Take care of your body by getting enough sleep, eating a healthy diet, and exercising regularly.
Stay positive: Focus on the benefits of quitting smoking, such as improved health, increased energy, and saving money.
Remember, quitting smoking is a process, and it may take several attempts before you are successful. Be kind to yourself and stay motivated. With time and commitment, you can quit smoking and improve your health.
If you care about lung health, please read studies about why Viagra may be useful in treating lung diseases, and scientists find herbal supplements to treat lung cancer.
For more information about health, please see recent studies about gum disease linked to impaired lung function, and results showing fungi causing deadly lung infections found throughout the US.
The study was published in JAMA Network Open.
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