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Lung Cancer and Smoking
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Lung cancer is still the number one cause of cancer death in the US. This is a tragedy because it is largely preventable.  The best way to prevent lung cancer is not to smoke and to avoid second hand smoke.  If you smoke - QUIT!  Nicotine is very addictive, and it will take work and determination to quit.  Many people have to try to quit multiple times before they make it.  Remember that quitting will help you, your spouse, your children, and other people in your home live longer and healthier.  Quitting not only reduces your risk of lung cancer, but also reduces your risk of heart attack, stroke, other cancers, lung disease, and many other diseases.  Smoking has harmful affects on babies if done during pregnancy.  If all of this is not motivation enough, then think of all the money you will save not smoking.   The surgeon general has listed the following keys to quitting smoking:
1.Get ready: Get a quit date.  Adjust your environment: remove all cigarettes and ashtrays in your home, work, and car, and no smokers allowed in the house.  Quit cold turkey, don't even smoke a puff.  Think about what helped on a prior attempt to quit and do it again
2.Get support and Encouragement: Let your family and friends know that you are going to quit and ask for their support.  Tell them not to smoke around you.  Discuss with your doctor and ask for help.  Join a counseling group.  There is group, telephone, or individual counseling.  Counseling really does help you quit.   Ask your doctor or local health department about programs in your area.
3.Learn New Skills and Behaviors: Change your daily routines that involve smoking.  Chew gum on your drive to work if you are normally smoking.  Drive a different way to work.  Eat in different places.   Distract yourself from thinking about smoking.  Go talk with someone or get busy with something.  Decrease your stress by finding an outlet such as a hot bath or exercise.  Drink plenty of water
4.Get medication and use it correctly: Zyban is a medication you can get from your doctor to reduce cravings.  Nicotine is available over the counter as a patch or gum.  It is also available by inhaler or nasal spray with a prescription.  Discuss using these medications with your doctor, especially if you are pregnant or have other medical conditions.
5.Be prepared for relapse or difficult situations: The majority of relapses happen in the first 3 months after quitting.  If you start smoking again, quit again.

Additional Resources:
American Lung Association 1740 Broadway, 14th Floor, New York, NY 10019   (212) 315-8700
American Heart Association  (800) AHA-USA1   American Cancer Society (404) 320-3333
National Cancer Institute  (800) 4-CANCER (422-6237)  American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists  (202) 638-5577
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