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Cancer patients

Quitting Smoking Can Add Nearly a Year to Life for People with Late-Stage Cancer

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

When diagnosed with late-stage cancer, patients may think they've run out of options to improve their prognosis. However, a new study suggests that quitting smoking can significantly extend their life. Researchers found that those who stopped smoking after their cancer diagnosis gained nearly a full year of additional life compared to those who continued to smoke. This emphasizes the importance of incorporating smoking cessation into cancer care.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study followed over 13,000 cancer patients treated at the Siteman Cancer Center between June and December 2018, tracking whether they quit smoking following their diagnosis.
  • Only about 1 in 5 smokers quit within six months after their first visit for cancer treatment, with 13% of patients still smoking at the time of the study.
  • Those who kept smoking had a nearly doubled risk of dying within two years, compared to those who quit smoking as part of their cancer care.
  • Quitting smoking was associated with a significant prolongation of survival, even in patients with advanced cancer, and should be considered a core part of the treatment plan.
  • The study's lead researcher emphasizes that smoking cessation can have a profound impact on cancer patients' survival and quality of life, rivaling the benefits of some chemotherapies.

Statistics:

  • 13,000: The number of cancer patients treated at the Siteman Cancer Center between June and December 2018 and followed in the study.
  • 13%: The percentage of patients who were still smoking at the time of the study.
  • 20%: The percentage of smokers who quit within six months after their first visit for cancer treatment.
  • 2 years: The timeframe in which those who kept smoking had a nearly doubled risk of dying, compared to those who quit smoking.
  • Nearly a year: The amount of additional life gained by those who stopped smoking after their cancer diagnosis.

Sources:

  • National Comprehensive Cancer Network, news release, Oct. 9, 2025.

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