TOBACCO CESSATION
Central Care is ready to help you quit! Don't wait. Ask for help today.
We have a trained tobacco treatment specialist on site to help you set up the right treatment plan. Our treatment specialist's will equip you with the tools and medications you need to quit!
Let's start today! To download a copy of the Central Care Cancer Center Tobacco Cessation booklet click HERE.
The benefits of quitting.
- Longer Survival
- An improved chance of successful treatment
- Fewer side effects from all types of cancer treatment:
- Surgery
- Chemotherapy
- Radiation Therapy
- Faster recovery from treatment
- Lower risk of infection
- Better quality of life
- Decreased risk of secondary cancers
Benefits on the body are almost instant
Within minutes to hours of quitting
- Blood pressure drops to a level similar to a level before tobacco use
- Carbon monoxide level in blood drops to normal
- Chance of heart disease decreases
Within weeks to months of quitting
- Circulation and lung function improve
- Coughing, sinus congestion, feeling tired, and shortness of breath decreases
- Lungs regain normal functions
After years of quitting
- After 1 year the additional risk of heart disease is half that of a tobacco user
- 5 to 15 years the stroke risk is reduced to that of a non-tobacco user
- After 10 years lung cancer death rate is about half of a tobacco user. The risk of cancer of the mouth, throat, and other body parts decreases.
- At 15 years the risk of coronary heart disease falls to that of a non-tobacco user
You save money after you quit.
If you spend $5.00 a day on tobacco products, you will save:
$35.00 a week
$150.00 a month
$1825.00 a year
Change Your Environment
- Get rid of cigarettes, ashtrays, and lighters
- Clean your home, car, and clothes
- Talk to your friends and family about your goals
- Ongoing support/counseling doubles chances of quitting
Make the Most of Your Medications
- Medications curb urges to use tobacco
- It doubles your chances of staying tobacco free
- Follow instructions to maximize results
Dealing with Difficult Situations and Urges
- Think about what worked in the past and what didn't
- Stress is common. Learn new ways to handle it
- Change your routine to break the habit
- Distract yourself, take deep breaths
- Avoid alcohol, coffee and other triggers
What Should You Do If You Slip?
- Forgive yourself. Learn from you mistakes and keep going!
- Keep taking your tobacco medication
- Remind yourself why it is important to change
Using medication can at least double your chances of quitting smoking. Combining medications are more effective than one medication alone.
- Nicotine patch and other nicotine replacement (gum or lozenge) may be used longer than 14 weeks
- Nicotine patch and nicotine inhaler
- Nicotine patch and bupropion
If you have health insurance, medications to help you quit tobacco use may be covered.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT): These medications lessen the symptoms of nicotine withdrawal and cravings. They have mild side effects and are available over the counter and by prescription. NRT comes in several forms:
- Gum
- Lozenges
- Skin patches
- Inhalers
- Nasal Sprays
Bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban): This medication can reduce withdrawal symptoms. Common side effects include dry mouth and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep.
Varenicline (Chantix): This medication reduces withdrawal symptoms and keeps you from enjoying nicotine if you start smoking again. Single most effective medication to reduce withdrawal. Common side effects include nausea, vivid dreams, constipation, and drowsiness. Best to take with food to avoid nausea.
Patients with no prescription insurance or who cannot afford medication: Pfizer RxPathways pharmacy assistance program covers Chantix and Nicotrol inhaler.
https://www.pfizerrxpathways.com or 1-844-989-PATH
Dealing with Stress
Stress is a normal part of life. Learning to better manage stress can be a big step in quitting smoking. Here are some tips for dealing with stress:
Breathe Take a few slow, deep breaths, in through your nose, out through your mouth. You will feel your body start to relax.
Relax Find ways to help reduce your stress, such as taking a warm bath or listening to soothing music.
Exercise Being active sends our natural chemicals that lift your mood and reduce your stress. Sometimes a short walk is all it takes to reduce stress.
Talk You don't have to deal with stress alone. Share your feelings with friends, family or a counselor to get the support you need.
Handling Triggers
Triggers are identified as situations where smokers used to smoke. Common triggers include: coffee, alcohol, after a meal, being around other smokers, and breaks at work. Here are some ways for dealing with triggers:
Change your routine Try ice coffee or tea, get up and brush your teeth right after a meal, take a work break with other nonsmokers.
Ask others not to smoke around you Consider letting family and friends know you are trying to quit and consider making your home and car a no smoking area.
Reduce the amount of alcohol you drink Alcohol reduces your resistance to stay smoke free. Consider drinking less often and avoid drinking with friends who smoke.
Use smoking cessation medication Try putting on a nicotine patch first thing in the morning, have a piece of nicotine gum or a nicotine lozenge at the time you would normally have a cigarette.
Resources To Help You Quit
KanQuit Quitline: 1-800-QUIT NOW or https://www.quitnow.net/kansas
Provides free one-on-one coaching to help you quit. Services include free support, information and encouragement, a personalized quit plan, self-help materials and information about medication to help you quit.
Text Messaging: either text to join or go to https://smokefree.gov
Sign up from your mobile phone! Send a text message with the word QUIT to 47848, answer a few questions, and you'll start receiving text messages from SmokefreeTXT. The program provides encouragement, advice, and tips 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Apps:
QuitSTART, NCI QuitPal and QuitGuide are all free smartphone apps that offer help for you to become and stay smoke free. See which works best for you.
Websites:
smokefree.gov: This site offers step-by-step information on quitting, as well as a wide range of information and resources, including specialized information.
www.iquitemonday.org: Recommit to Quit Smoking Every Monday + Weekly Tips
Become An Ex: This high-tech website has tips, even videos on effective ways to quit.
Me You Health: This site offers an online quit tobacco program with a quit guide, up to date tobacco news and expert support.
Group curricula for people in recovery, including those not interested in quitting:
Learning About Healthy Living
Breathe Easy, Live Well