Talking to your doctor about quitting smoking
What to Expect:
Talking with a healthcare provider about smoking and quitting can be difficult for many patients. Patients often have a fear of being judged or blamed for smoking. Patients, in many cases, do not see the point of stopping smoking now that they have a cancer diagnosis and do not want less support from the healthcare team or their family if they do admit to smoking. Patients who have smoked for a long time feel the need to smoke to deal with the difficulties of a cancer diagnosis. Take the first step, and talk to your doctor about quitting. Healthcare providers are there to support you, provide resources and talk with you through the difficult times.
Questions the Doctor May Ask:
- Do you smoke everyday?
- How long have you been smoking?
- How many cigarettes do you smoke per day?
- How old were you when you started smoking?
- Do people within your household smoke?
- Have you tried anything to stop smoking?
- Have your smoking habits changed after your cancer diagnosis?
Questions to Ask Your Doctor:
- How would smoking affect my treatment and cancer?
- What are the health benefits if I stop smoking?
- Will I get more serious side effects from treatment if I continue smoking?
- What should be my next steps to quit smoking?
- Where can I find resources to help me quit?
- What can you do to help me?