Lung Cancer
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Anytime is the perfect time to quit smoking or help a loved one quit for good. Tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death in the United States, responsible for nearly one in five deaths and increasing the risk of 15 types of cancer, according to the American Cancer Society. Cigarette smoking is the most common risk factor for lung cancer, with almost 90 percent of all lung cancers attributable to smoking or secondhand exposure to cigarette smoke.
Smoking is the leading cause of cancer deaths in both men and women, although the survival rate has improved slightly in recent years. The lung cancer experts at St. Francis are dedicated to supporting and caring for cancer patients and their families, and our specialized team approach provides the best cancer research and treatment.
Take the time to talk to someone you know about the risks of smoking. Encourage them to quit not just for their own health, but for those around them.
To talk with a professional, call our Lung Nurse Navigator at (317) 782-7005. Or call one of these 24-hour resources for quitting
American Cancer Society:
(800) ACS-2345 (800-227-2345)
www.cancer.org/GreatAmericans
Indiana Tobacco Prevention and Cessation
(800) QUIT-NOW (800-884-8669)
www.indianaquitline.net
If you’re not a smoker, but you’re trying to support a friend or loved one’s plan to quit, it’s important to keep a few key tips in mind:
- Respect that this is your loved one’s lifestyle change and challenge, not yours.
- Be available to check in and share encouragement, but only if the other person wants it.
- Spend time doing things with the quitter, such as going to the movies or taking a walk, to get past a craving.
- To lighten the stress of quitting, help the person with chores, child care or cooking.
- Don’t offer unsolicited advice but offer to support the person’s quitting program.
- If the person slips, encourage the quitter to get back on track and don’t assume all is lost.
- If the person relapses, show your encouragement for him or her to try again. Research shows that most people try to quit smoking five to seven times before they succeed.
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