Tobacco Use & Cancer
It’s never too late to quit – even after a cancer diagnosis.
Most people know that smoking and other forms of tobacco use increases their risk of getting cancer. Anyone who has ever smoked knows how hard it is to quit. What people may not know is that there are always benefits to quitting. It’s never too late. Even after being diagnosed with cancer, you will still benefit from quitting.
These are some benefits you may experience if you stop using tobacco after you are diagnosed with cancer:
- fewer complications related to your cancer or your treatment
- a better chance at survival
- less chance that your cancer will come back
- less chance that you will develop a secondary cancer
For more information about the health benefits of quitting smoking after a cancer diagnosis, please see the following fact sheet from the Nova Scotia Health Cancer Care Program:
Radiation
Radiation therapy works better if the level of oxygen in your body is normal. When you smoke, the level of oxygen in your blood drops, making it harder for radiation to do its job. If you can’t stop smoking, avoid smoking for a few hours before and after radiation therapy.
Chemotherapy
Cancer drugs work better in people who don’t smoke. Smoke has chemicals in it that reduce the blood level of some cancer drugs, making them less effective. People who smoke tend to have more side effects from their cancer medicine.
Talk to your healthcare provider to learn more about quitting or contact one of our counsellors to help you quit and stay quit. Call our 811 Quit Line or reach out using Secure Chat.
Our counsellors have the skills and experience to help you quit using tobacco no matter what kind of product you use. They can also help you to quit vaping.
Medical quit aids
There are some medications that can help you quit. You need a prescription to get them. You can get a prescription from your healthcare provider. If you have a private drug plan, ask them if they cover medical quit aids.
If you are a member of the Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients program, they may pay for your medical quit aids. If you are NOT a member, find out how you can join:
Call toll free 1-800-553-0585
OR
Visit Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients
As a member of the Drug Assistance for Cancer Patients program, they will reimburse you for up to 12 weeks of standard therapy per year. If you need a second course of therapy, your prescriber will have to send a special authorization request to Pharmacare.
