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Prehab and smoking

Stopping smoking before your cancer treatment is strongly advised. It can help your body respond to treatment and heal more quickly, it may also reduce the likelihood of treatment interruptions and the risk of cancer coming back.

If you are having surgery, as part of your treatment, stopping smoking will help to:

  • Reduce heart, lung and wound related complications
  • Reduce wound healing time
  • Reduce your length of stay in hospital
  • Reduce associated symptoms from treatment
  • Improve your quality-of-life following treatment

If you are having radiotherapy, as part of your treatment, it may be more effective if you stop smoking. It may also reduce side effects and improve your overall feeling of wellbeing

There are lots of options available to help you stop smoking. The best way to stop smoking is using a combination of a stop smoking treatment or medicines and specialist support.

Talk to your healthcare team about specialist help that may be available, further information can be found on the help me quit website.

VAPING

Vaping or using an e-cigarette, is not as harmful as smoking cigarettes. However, the long-term health consequences of vaping are still unknown. Vape liquid contains nicotine which increases your heart rate and blood pressure putting strain on your heart. Try to avoid vaping before your operation.

This can be difficult during times of stress. HCPs are keen to support you and further information can be found - Exercise activities | Living With Liver Cancer

Useful resources and information: