Using tobacco products significantly increases your risk of developing cancer. Smoking has been linked to various types of cancer — including cancer of the lung, bladder, cervix, and kidney. Chewing tobacco has been linked to cancer of the oral cavity and pancreas. Even if you don't use tobacco, exposure to secondhand smoke may increase your risk of lung cancer. Quitting smoking and avoiding secondhand smoke is one of the most important health decisions you can make. It's also an important part of cancer prevention.
Thinking of quitting? Call your local health unit for free workshops that may offer access to free Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) or click for information about support programs in your area and/or smoking cessation support from the Smokers’ Helpline.
Smoking Cessation at Regional Cancer Programs
One in five new cancer patients at cancer centre's across Ontario are current or recent tobacco users. It is never too late for tobacco cessation to provide a benefit and it is never too late to quit. The risk of dying can be lowered 30 to 40 percent by quitting smoking at the time of cancer diagnosis. Quitting also lowers the chance of the cancer returning or another type of cancer developing. It can also improve treatment outcomes.
Watch the video below to learn about the benefits of quitting smoking after a cancer diagnosis, or visit Cancer Care Ontario's website for more information.