Why giving up smoking may still help those with advanced cancer

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New research suggests that quitting smoking may benefit even those with the most advanced stages of cancer.

Posted in Journal of the National Comprehensive Cancer Network, The study found that people with cancer who quit smoking had a 97 percent lower risk of dying within two years compared to those who quit smoking.

Scientists said their new study showed it was “never too late” to kick the habit, which is linked to around 80,000 deaths a year in the UK.

Study shows ‘it’s never too late’ to quit smoking, researchers say (PA Wire)

Researchers tracked more than 13,000 people with cancer, tracking whether they quit smoking in the first six months after seeing doctors. They found that those who continued to smoke had a significantly higher risk of death within two years compared to those who quit.

The study found that this survival advantage was seen across all types and stages of cancer, including the most serious stages when treatments are less likely to cure tumors.

But despite these benefits, only about a fifth of smokers quit within six months of their visit.

Lung cancer is one of the most common and serious types of cancer, with more than 43,000 people diagnosed with cancer in the UK each year, according to the NHS. Although lung cancer can develop in people who have never smoked, the most common cause is smoking (causing more than 70 out of 100 cases) due to toxic substances inhaled while smoking.

The NHS has spearheaded a number of initiatives to encourage people to kick the habit, including Stoptober, an annual campaign in England encouraging smokers to quit throughout October.

The annual Stoptober campaign continues throughout October (P.A.)

But data from April this year shows smoking rates may be rising in some parts of England despite efforts to reduce numbers.

In 2023, the UK government launched a targeted lung cancer screening program to detect cancer earlier and speed up diagnosis.

Lead author Dr Steven Tohmasi said the research showed how lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking “can prolong survival more than some chemotherapies”.

“Our research reinforces the idea that smoking cessation should be considered the fourth pillar of cancer treatment, alongside surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy or immunotherapy,” he continued.

“Future cancer care must treat smoking cessation as a core part of the treatment plan, not as an optional extra. By doing this, we can maximize survival, improve quality of life and deliver truly comprehensive oncology care.”

“It is never too late and no one is ‘too sick’ to quit smoking,” added senior author Dr Li-Shiun Chen. “Our study found that individuals with cancer who stopped smoking after diagnosis lived significantly longer than those who continued to smoke, even if their cancer was at an advanced stage.

“These data argue for an important paradigm shift in routinely incorporating tobacco treatment as part of care to extend survival and improve outcomes for all people with cancer.”

Megan Winter, Health Information Manager at Cancer Research UK, said: “Tobacco remains the biggest cause of death in the UK, responsible for around 160 cases of cancer every day. Quitting smoking completely is the best thing you can do for your health, and studies like this show it’s never too late to quit.”

“We know that most people who smoke try to quit, but they need the right support to do this. That’s why the UK Government needs to provide long-term funding for cessation support so everyone has access to the tools they need to quit smoking successfully. People can get free support from their local quitting service or talk to a pharmacist or GP to help find what works.”