Break Away from the Pack
Guest Author: Ann Werle, RN, BSN, CBCN, Nurse Navigator, Covenant Cancer Care Center
Quitting smoking is tough. Not quitting smoking is tougher! According to the American Cancer Society smoking is by far the most significant causative factor for lung cancer. Smoking causes 87% of all lung cancer deaths among men and 70% of lung cancer deaths in women. The risk of developing lung cancer increases with quantity of cigarettes smoked and years of smoking.
The CDC states, “Smoking is a major cause of cardiovascular disease and causes one of every three deaths from cardiovascular disease.” Smoking can also raise triglycerides, lower good cholesterol, increase plaque in blood vessels and cause them to thicken and narrow. In addition, secondhand smoke causes 34,000 early deaths among nonsmokers from coronary heart disease in the US each year.
Quitting smoking can improve your chances of survival immensely. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), within 20 minutes of smoking that last cigarette your body begins a series of changes that go on for years. Two weeks to three months after quitting your circulation improves and your lung function increases. One year after quitting, the excess risk of heart disease is half of someone who still smokes. Five years after quitting, the risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, esophagus and bladder is cut in half. Cervical cancer risk falls to that of a nonsmoker. Stroke risk also diminishes within the first two to five years. After fifteen years the risk of heart disease is that of nonsmokers.
Need Some Help to Quit?
- Covenant HealthCare has informational classes three times each year that are free to the community. We can help you make a Fresh Start! Using the ACS program of the same name, we can help you set a quit date and increase your success at stopping smoking. For more information, call 1.866.Covenant (1.866.268.3626).
- The Michigan Tobacco Quit Line is also available 24/7 with tips and products to help you quit NOW. Call 1.800.Quit.Now (1.800.784.8669). The call center will help you by providing support and information about nicotine replacement to help you quit smoking. In some cases, free nicotine replacement may also be available.
- The American Cancer Society also has help for quitting tobacco and support. Call 1.800.227.2345. The American Cancer Society is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Quick Tips to Help You Quit
When times are tough:
- Nibble on low-calorie snacks.
- Eat a meal slowly.
- Drink mint tea after dinner instead of having a cigarette.
- Keep breath mints or hard candy close by for something to put in your mouth.
- Most importantly, breathe deep and remember the desire to smoke will pass.
Posted Date: 1/22/2021