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Screening

For Cancer Patients In Waterloo Wellington

Why Stop Now?

Stopping all types of commercial tobacco (like cigarettes, cigars, or chewing tobacco) can help your treatment work better and may help you live longer. People who quit within 6 months of a cancer diagnosis can add about 2 (or more) years to their life. Even patients who don’t get any cancer treatment or have a late stage cancer can benefit from stopping. If you can’t quit right now, cutting back will still help.

Staying smoke-free after cancer treatment can lower your risk of the cancer coming back. It can also lower your risk of getting another type of cancer.

How Tobacco Affects Cancer Treatment

Chemotherapy and Targeted Therapy

Smoking can lower the amount of some chemotherapy drugs in the body making them less effective.

Radiation Therapy

Using commercial tobacco reduces your oxygen levels in the body. This can make radiation therapy less effective. Avoid smoking before and after radiation appointments.

Surgery

Using commercial tobacco increases complications and slows wound healing. Stopping smoking at least 4 weeks before surgery is best, but stopping anytime before is helpful.

Types of Support

Every quit attempt is a step closer to finally stopping. For your best chances at stopping, use both types of quit supports together:

Personalized Support

Trained health professionals will work with you to make a quit plan. They will coach you on how to cut down and manage your cravings and triggers.

Medication Support

Helps make nicotine withdrawal symptoms less intense. Can include nicotine replacement therapy (like patches, lozenges, and gum), cytisine, and other medicine that is prescribed by a healthcare provider (e.g. bupropion, varenicline).

Local Support

Available In-Person and Virtually in Waterloo Wellington

Ask your cancer care team for a referral to one of these local programs that offer both personal and medical support. All programs are free for cancer centre patients.

Virtual Support

Available Online, by Phone, or Text Message

For your best chance at stopping, use a personalized support program and a medication support program together.

Start Right Now!

Here are some things you can do right away:

  • Cut back. Slowly reduce the number of cigarettes you smoke each day or week. Delay your first cigarettes of the day by 10-30 mins. Even if you can’t quit, cutting down is helpful.
  • Get ready. Tell someone you’re trying to quit, remove lighters, ashtrays from your space, download a smoke free progress tracker app on your phone for motivation.
  • Change your routine. Go for a walk instead of a smoke break, change where you have your coffee, choose not to smoke in your car or avoid places you connect with smoking.
  • Think positively. Think about how far you’ve come and do your best to keep going.

Manage Your Cravings

DELAY

Cravings are short lasting. If you can wait a few minutes, the cravings usually get weaker.

DISTRACT

Do something else instead. Going for a walk, texting someone, or using a fidget toy can take your mind off the craving.

DRINK WATER

Drinking water, chewing gum, or using toothpicks can give your mouth something to do which can reduce your urge to smoke.

DEEP BREATHING

Taking slow, deep breaths can help you relax and deal with feelings like stress, anxiety, or irritation that can come with cravings.

About This Resource

Author: Waterloo Wellington Regional Cancer Program

Revised: April 2026

PEM#: WRHNCC0140

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Use this resource for your information only. It does not replace medical advice from your doctor or other healthcare professionals.

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.cancerwaterloowellington.ca