Living with cancer and its treatment can be very difficult. You may feel you need all the support you can get, including any comfort or support you may get from smoking. If you are thinking of giving up smoking, don’t feel pressured into making the decision – the best reason to stop smoking is because you want to and because you feel ready to.
If you are ready to stop, giving up smoking will help you feel generally better and be healthier. If you are looking for motivation, in this blog our editorial assistant Faiza talks through 5 benefits of stopping smoking that can affect your health, finances and the people around you.
1. If you are having treatment for cancer, quitting smoking can increase the chances of your treatment being effective. Your doctor can explain the benefits of stopping smoking in your specific situation or for the type of cancer you have.
2. You are likely to have fewer side effects from cancer treatment if you are a non-smoker. Any side effects also tend to be less severe. Stopping smoking may also lower the risk of cancer coming back after treatment.
3. Quitting smoking can save you money. On average, most people who stop can save around £250 each month. If you put aside the money you’d otherwise have spent on smoking, you can use it to treat yourself or your family instead. NHS Smokefree have a cost calculator that you can use to find out how much you can save.
4. Stopping smoking can also have physical benefits. Within a few weeks of stopping, your skin will look clearer and brighter. You can feel more confident in social situations because your breath, hair and clothes will smell better.
5. If you have children or grandchildren, you can become a good role model for them by quitting. Children of parents who smoke often worry about their parents’ health, so by giving up you can help put their minds at rest.
If you decide you are ready to quit, it is important to get support. Friends and family can help, as well as your doctor or pharmacist. You can also use medicines to reduce cravings. NHS Stop Smoking Services can also really make a difference to your chances of success. Research shows that people who use them are twice as likely to succeed as people who try to give up on their own.
For more information on giving up smoking, visit our website. You can also order information in booklet, audio, or other formats here.
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The Macmillan team is here to help. Our cancer support specialists can answer your questions, offer support, or simply listen if you need a chat. Call us free on 0808 808 00 00.
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