The survival period is expected to be extended by nearly 1 year! Don’t forget to do this after you have lung cancer

▎If the editor of WuXi AppTec's content team asked which behavior would increase the risk of cancer, many people would say it was smoking
.

Indeed, smoking is one of the main risk factors for many types of cancer, especially lung cancer
.

Studies have found that the lifetime risk of lung cancer in smokers is 22 times that of non-smokers; 2/3 of lung cancer deaths worldwide are related to smoking
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The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) also pointed out that about 20% of new cancer cases each year are related to smoking.
In addition to lung cancer, smoking also increases the risk of 17 different types of cancers, including genitourinary system cancer, head and neck cancer, Digestive system cancer, as well as hematopoietic system cancer
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But did you know? Smoking not only increases the risk of cancer, but also affects the survival of patients and increases the risk of death
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According to a study published in Chest, the official journal of the American College of Physicians (ACCP), people who quit smoking after a diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) prolonged their lifespan by nearly one year compared to those who continued to smoke
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Image source: 123RF non-small cell lung cancer is the main type of lung cancer, accounting for about 85% of all lung cancer cases
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Among patients with non-small cell lung cancer, more than 80% have a history of smoking; about 40%-50% are current smokers at the time of diagnosis
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The researchers conducted a follow-up study of 7,536 participants, most of whom were men; all had stage 1 non-small cell lung cancer and had undergone surgery; the average age at the time of surgery was 67 years; at the time of diagnosis, 5142 were (68.
2%) Participants were current smokers, and the rest were former smokers
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Through the questionnaire, the researchers counted the participants’ age, gender, height, weight, history of chronic diseases (including diabetes, hypertension, etc.
), life>
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In addition, the researchers also counted the comorbidities of the participants after surgery
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Image source: 123RF statistics found that a considerable proportion of non-small cell lung cancer patients still smoke after diagnosis and surgery
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Among current smokers, 2907 (56.
5%) continued to smoke after the diagnosis
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One year after the surgical treatment, 58% of current smokers continued to smoke; 20% of former smokers started smoking again
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Participants who have smoking behaviors 1 year after surgery tend to have higher body mass index (BMI), more and more serious complications, and the time from diagnosis to surgery is less than 12 weeks
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After adjusting for other factors, the researchers found that smoking after surgery was associated with a poorer median overall survival
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The median overall survival of non-smokers after surgery was 84.
7 months; the median overall survival of smokers was 73.
1 months, and the survival time was reduced by 11.
6 months, which is nearly 1 year
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Compared with non-smokers, the risk of death of smokers increased by 28.
8%
.

Image source: 123RF researchers pointed out that continuing to smoke after the diagnosis of non-small cell lung cancer may affect survival through various mechanisms.
For example, tobacco smoke and carcinogens contained in cigarettes may promote tumor growth; increase cell damage and genes Mutation and immunosuppression; increase tumor resistance to treatment; and cause complications, which increase the risk of death
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However, the relevant mechanism has not yet been fully clarified, and further exploration is needed.

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Although the study is an observational study, it only shows that continuing to smoke in patients with non-small cell lung cancer after diagnosis is associated with a shortened survival period and an increased risk of death, and does not indicate a causal relationship
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There are also limitations in the study.
For example, the amount of smoking depends on the recall of patients, which may also affect the results of the study
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But the first author of the study, Dr.
Brendan Heiden of Washington University in St.
Louis, pointed out that the study found that for patients diagnosed with non-small cell lung cancer, it is meaningful to quit smoking whenever it is helpful.
To prolong their survival and reduce the risk of death, smoking non-small cell lung cancer patients should be encouraged to quit smoking as soon as possible after diagnosis
.

Image source: 123RF For lung cancer patients who smoke, how to quit smoking as soon as possible? We have also prepared some tips for quitting smoking, hoping to help you quit smoking as soon as possible and have a beneficial effect on your health
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Look for other ways to deal with stress
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Some people smoke to relieve stress, so if they want to quit smoking, they need other ways to deal with stress, anxiety or other problems
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People have found that meditation and breathing training, regular exercise, drinking less alcohol, and eating a balanced diet can help relieve stress and reduce anxiety
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Get support from family and friends
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If you can get support from family and friends when you quit, then it will be easier to quit
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If you live with a smoker, it may be more difficult to quit smoking
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Therefore, you can try to get family members or friends who smoke to quit smoking together; or at least ask them not to smoke in front of them, and do not put cigarettes, ashtrays or lighters where they will see them
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Avoid incentives related to smoking
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The human brain is very sensitive to various connections, so removing all tobacco products from the home can reduce the craving for nicotine
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Smokers are accustomed to smoking under certain circumstances.
If the factors or things that trigger the desire to smoke can be determined and avoided in time, the possibility of successful quitting will be improved
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Image source: 123RF prepares for withdrawal symptoms
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Quitting smoking may cause physical discomfort and withdrawal symptoms, including headache, nausea, irritability, anxiety, craving for smoking, pain, inability to concentrate, increased appetite, and lethargy
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Drinking more fresh juice or water, eating more high-fiber foods, and reducing the caffeine and refined sugar in the diet can help some people cope with withdrawal symptoms
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Nicotine replacement therapy and drugs
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Nicotine replacement therapy, antidepressants, and other drugs have been shown to help smokers with no mental health problems quit smoking, and they may also be helpful for people with depression or schizophrenia
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However, you should consult your doctor when taking medications and avoid self-administration
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All in all, smoking is harmful to health, not only hurts oneself, but also harms family, friends and society; it not only increases the risk of cancer, but also increases the risk of death and shortens the survival time
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And the sooner you quit smoking, the better for your health
.

It is recommended to read the online celebrity girl who committed suicide in the live broadcast.
Depression is very close to you, but it can also be far away! Not paying attention to blood pressure control? Beware of impaired brain health and increased risk of dementia! Especially for people of this age, the American Association for Cancer Research authoritatively released: 4 out of 10 cancers are preventable! These factors are the key to the carcinogens of daily contact, there are so many! | Chongyang Festival to share 4 stories, I hope you can understand why fight against cancer is a race against time Reference materials [1] Brendan Heiden, et al.
,(2021).
ASSOCIATION BETWEEN PERSISTENT CIGARETTE SMOKING AND ONCOLOGIC OUTCOMES IN STAGE I NON- SMALL CELL LUNG CANCER FOLLOWING SURGERY.
CHEST, DOI: https://doi.
org/10.
1016/j.
chest.
2021.
07.
1469.
[2]'You're Still Doing WHAT After Lung Cancer Surgery?!'— But don' t give up on hardened smokers, researcher urges.
Retrieved Oct 20 ,2021,from https:// Tobacco: Health benefits of smoking cessation.
Retrieved Oct 20 ,2021,from https:// Smoking and mental health.
Retrieved Oct 20 ,2021,from https://www.
mentalhealth.
org.

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This article is for the purpose of information exchange only.
The opinions expressed in the article do not represent the position of WuXi AppTec, nor does it mean that WuXi AppTec supports or opposes the views in the article
.

This article is not a treatment recommendation either
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If you need guidance on the treatment plan, please go to a regular hospital for treatment
.