Does quitting smoking immediately after diagnosis of lung cancer, of which it is the main risk factor, have an impact on patient survival? Unsurprisingly, the answer is “yes”, and significantly according to an Italian study published in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology, the official journal of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer.
The researchers carried out a meta-analysis combining the results of twenty studies covering more than 10,000 patients. Regardless of the type of lung cancer (non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and small cell lung cancer (CPC) for the main ones), stopping smoking after diagnosis was associated with an improvement in overall survival around 30%, compared to patients who did not stop smoking.
Multiple benefits
Why such an effect? Because the smoke particles appear to be able to promote the growth, progression and spread of the tumor, as shown by a recent study on head and neck cancers, also linked to tobacco consumption, in women. mouse. Continuing to smoke during treatment for lung cancer also decreases the effectiveness and tolerance to radiation therapy and increases the risk of postoperative complications.
For the authors of the study, screening for lung cancer, which primarily targets heavy smokers, should be an opportunity to inform patients of the important benefits of quitting smoking quickly after diagnosis. Before, of course, to organize their support to quitting smoking. Another study recently showed that this benefit was independent of the stage of the disease.
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