General

Good news for smokers

Lung cancer survival doubles after kicking the habit

People with early lung cancer, and who quit smoking, could double their chances of survival. A new study, published in the British Medical Journal, suggests that people who continued to smoke had a 29 to 33 per cent chance of surviving for five years, while those who kicked the habit had a 63 to 70 per cent chance of surviving five years. Some doctors have reported they do not suggest those with lung cancer to quit smoking, “that it adds up to feelings of guilt and takes away a lifelong comfort for the dying patient,” but researchers now suggest that patients and their families be told of the study results “because the potential benefit is great.”

CBC

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