Quitting smoking: tips for lung cancer awareness month

November is Lung Cancer Awareness Month - a time to highlight the risks of smoking and the benefits of quitting. Smoking is the leading preventable cause of lung cancer, responsible for about 80 to 90% of lung cancer cases, according to the American Cancer Society. Smokers are 15 to 30 times more likely to develop lung cancer than non-smokers, and smoking also shortens life expectancy, with smokers dying on average 10 years earlier than those who have never smoked. According to the American Cancer Society, two out of three smokers say they want to quit and nearly half of them try each year. Yet, quitting smoking is challenging without support. Luckily, Baylor Medicine Lung Institute's Tobacco Cessation Program offers resources to help make quitting easier.

"Studies show that a combination of behavioral support and drug therapy produces higher smoking quit rates than either treatment alone," says Subin Valayil, a tobacco treatment specialist and assistant professor in the David J. Sugarbaker Division of Thoracic Surgery at Baylor College of Medicine. "The tobacco cessation program offers patients this dual approach, which includes personalized support from specialists and effective FDA-approved medications to ease nicotine withdrawal symptoms."

When patients begin the program, treatment specialists assess their tobacco use, answer questions and identify individual triggers that might influence smoking habits. Together, they design a tailored quit plan. Patients also have ongoing support through follow-up visits - either in person or virtually - to monitor their progress, adjust medications and provide encouragement.

Helpful behavioral approaches to quit smoking

To improve success rates, the Tobacco Cessation Program incorporates several evidence-based behavioral techniques.

Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT)

CBT helps patients recognize triggers - like specific people, places or situations -that make them want to smoke. Through CBT, patients learn relaxation techniques and coping strategies to resist cravings and make lasting behavioral changes.

Mindfulness-based interventions

Research shows that both CBT and mindfulness-based interventions can help people quit smoking. Mindfulness teaches individuals to be more aware of their thoughts, emotions and physical sensations during cravings, giving them tools to manage these urges effectively.

Motivation techniques

Treatment specialists help patients clarify their personal reasons for quitting and encourage them to post reminders in places where they might be tempted to smoke. Whether it's for health, financial savings or protecting loved ones, keeping these motivations visible can help reinforce a smoke-free lifestyle.

Reasons to quit smoking

Quitting smoking offers a multitude of benefits, from improved health to financial savings. Here are a few key reasons to consider:

Health

Smoking is the leading preventable cause of death in the United States, with smokers dying an average of 10 years earlier than non-smokers. Smoking impacts every organ in the body, contributing to a host of diseases, including cancer, heart disease and respiratory issues.

Financial savings

Smoking can be a costly habit. A pack-a-day habit at $5 per pack adds up to $1,825 annually - money that could go toward savings or other life goals.

Convenience

For many, smoking often dictates when and where they go. By quitting, you gain the freedom to spend your time without the need to smoke.

Protecting loved ones

Secondhand smoke is dangerous, especially for children. Kids exposed to smoke are more likely to suffer from ear infections, chest colds, and other health issues.

The good news is that insurance often covers tobacco cessation counseling, making it easier to access the support you need. To take the first step toward quitting, call the Tobacco Cessation Program at 713-798-6376.

If you are a current smoker or at high risk for lung cancer, you should consider getting a low-dose CT (LDCT) scan. Research has shown that yearly LDCT scans to screen people at higher risk of lung cancer can save lives.

The American Cancer Society recommends yearly screening for lung cancer with a low-dose CT (LDCT) scan for people ages 50 to 80 years who:

• Smoke or used to smoke, and
• Have at least a 20 pack-year history of smoking (A pack-year is a measure of smoking history, defined as smoking one pack [around 20 cigarettes] per day for one year. For instance, a person could have a 20 pack-year history by smoking one pack daily for 20 years or two packs daily for 10 years.)

By Tiffany Harston, senior communications associate in the Michael E. DeBakey Department of Surgery

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