Experts explain that continuing to smoke after being diagnosed with cancer can lead to a recurrence of tumors and secondary primary cancer. (Image: Korea Bizwire)
SEOUL, Jul. 25 (Korea Bizwire) — More than half of male smokers in South Korea continue to smoke even after being diagnosed with cancer, a recent study has revealed.
A research team from the Seoul National University Bundang Hospital studied 15,000 male patients over 40 years of age who were initially diagnosed with cancer between 2004 and 2011, and found that 51.6 percent of the smokers among them continued to smoke even after the diagnosis.
Among respondents, those who were younger, had lower income, were heavy smokers, and those diagnosed with smoking-related cancer were more likely to continue smoking after being diagnosed with cancer.
Experts explain that continuing to smoke after being diagnosed with cancer can lead to a recurrence of tumors and secondary primary cancer.
Quitting smoking can improve the effects of cancer treatment and extend the period of survival, so experts recommend that smokers quit smoking, particularly when diagnosed with cancer.
“Quitting smoking after being diagnosed with cancer can significantly raise the chances of survival, so new cancer patients should be strongly advised to stop smoking,” said Prof. Lee Ki-heon, the head of the research team.
H. M. Kang (hmkang@koreabizwire.com)
