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Have you tried to quit smoking while undergoing treatment?
The decision to quit smoking is a very personal one. Everyone has his or her own reason that helps start the journey to quit smoking. The diagnosis of a serious illness or chronic condition, like cancer, a heart condition, lung condition, diabetes, might be one reason to quit smoking as part of treatment and recovery.
Are you currently undergoing treatment for a serious illness or chronic condition, or are you a survivor of a serious illness who made the decision to quit smoking while undergoing treatment? If yes, and you feel comfortable doing so, please share the experience of your journey to quit smoking.
Thank you for sharing your experiences anonymously in the online survey. The survey is now closed.
However you can continue to share your experiences here in an open discussion with other members. Your story can help others on their journey to quit smoking.
- Did you decide to quit while undergoing treatment? Why or why not?
- What uncertainties or challenges did you face?
- How did your care providers support you to quit smoking? How could they have supported you differently or better?
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@kowalski, there are many approaches to successfully quite smoking. For some a gradual decrease helps, especially with aids like nicotine patches or quit medications. Others find cold turkey works for them. The website https://www.becomeanex.org/ in partnership with the Mayo Clinic Nicotine Dependence Center (NDC) offers support and resources.
Here's some information and a video specific to your questions:
Why it’s so important to quit smoking when you have cancer https://www.cancercareontario.ca/en/blog/Why%20it%E2%80%99s%20so%20important%20to%20quit%20smoking%20when%20you%20have%20cancer
Kowalski, have you tried quitting before? Are you ready to try now?
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2 ReactionsQuitting is hard. But your body will thank you, regardless of any “jolt” to your system. We don’t like to hear that we are addicted, but anyone who’s tried to quit has learned how addictive tobacco is.
Not quitting for fear of a jolt is an easy rationalization to keep smoking. Don’t believe it.
You’ve got this. Go for the jolt!
Will gather more info. Keeping smoking sounds false.
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1 Reaction@kowalski That doesn't sound like anything I'd come across. I just googled and found the attached reasons why smoking hampers recovery. It's from Cleveland Clinic but I'm pretty sure I'd seen the same either on Mayo's site or cancer.org when I was going through it. https://health.clevelandclinic.org/smoking-cancer-diagnosis-quit-now/
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1 ReactionNever heard of that one before. I am so glad I did quit for so many reasons, wish you all the luck in the world, it can be done!!!
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1 ReactionMy whole family wants me to NOT quit. A doctor told my friend with cancer, the jolt it would create would hamper my recovery. This sounds crazy, but I found several articles stating the same thing. The best I heard is slowly cutting down until you are at zero. This would not shock the body. Sounds nuts to me but also makes sense. Ideas?
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2 Reactions@meka- That's wonderful! How are you feeling better?
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1 ReactionCouple years now, right before being diagnosed. Worked on it for years before, but always started again, even after stopping for almost two years!!
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2 ReactionsHello @meka- How long ago did you quit? Why did you quit? It is doable. I was a very heavy smoker and I quit, almost cold turkey. One thing, before I quit, was to wonder what I would do instead. I found out that I do everything else other than smoke!
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1 ReactionIt is doable!! It's still a struggle to find a way to keep my hands busy, using crossword puzzles, games, weights, reading, whatever!!
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