Stopping smoking helps improve treatment outcomes

Posted 8th March 2018

Research shows that smoking during chemotherapy and radiotherapy can have an impact on the effectiveness of treatment.

To help ensure our patients are aware of this and are getting the guidance and support they need, we are launching a three month pilot on No Smoking Day (14th March).

Before treatment starts, Radiographers discuss with patients in their pre-planning appointment the impact smoking will have on treatment, and will offer a range of nicotine replacement products along with a referral to a smoking cessation service.

Sarah Cubbin, Lung Clinical Nurse Specialist, said: “Studies show that between 50% and 83% of cancer patients who smoke continue to do so during and after their treatment. We want to help change this.

“Some patients don’t realise that continuing to smoke will have an impact on how well their treatment will work. By discussing this with them before their treatment starts we hope they will sign up to the programme and try to stop smoking.

“We know how difficult it is for someone to break the habit, especially at such a stressful and challenging time, so we will make sure there will be someone on hand to offer support at every step of the journey.”

Working in partnership with ABL Wirral and other local smoking cessation services, we will tailor a programme to individual patients to give them the best possible support.

If the pilot is successful, the service will be offered to patients in other departments.

Stopping smoking, or even abstaining during treatment, can:

Reduce treatment related effects

Improve effectiveness of treatment

Reduce risk of disease recurrence

Reduce the probability of a second primary cancer

It's never too late to stop smoking