Karen Morales, LCSW
Dana-Farber Tobacco Counselor and Social Worker
Tobacco Cessation for Dana-Farber Patients
The goal of the program is to provide support and to cancer patients who are actively working towards becoming smoke-free.
Our Program • Dedicated Tobacco Cessation Counselor, Karen Morales, LCSW • The program is free & voluntary • You may have up to 11 counseling sessions with our Tobacco Counselor in the program Up to 11 Counseling Sessions (30-45 min each) • You will receive education and access to smoking cessation medications • Finally, you will gain access to tools and strategies to help you become and stay smoke-free
Benefits of Quitting Tobacco Studies show that people who stop using tobacco after a cancer diagnosis: • Respond better to cancer treatments • Reduce risk of side effects from cancer treatment, such as infection, scarring, fatigue, breathing problems, and mouth sores. • Recover more quickly from cancer treatment • Example: Surgery wounds heal more slowly in patients who keep smoking. • Have more energy • Have a better quality of life • Lower their risk of having cancer come back or developing a second (different) cancer. • Reduce their risk of other serious health problems linked to smoking, such as lung disease, heart attack, and stroke.
Tobacco Cessation Resources Massachusetts Tobacco Cessation and Prevention Program: Call the Massachusetts Smokers’ Helpline at 1-800-QUIT-NOW (800-784-8669) for free counseling and other support http://makesmokinghistory.org/ American Cancer Society: Find a free telephone-based program in your area by calling the society at 1-800-227-2345, or visit cancer.org and search for “How to Quit Smoking.”https://www.cancer.org/healthy/stay-away-from-tobacco/guide-quitting-smoking.html National Cancer Institute: Offers free, confidential information and support for quitting. Call the NCI smoking quitline at 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848) or visit https://smokefree.gov/
1. How many Americans are affected by smoking? More than 16 million Americans are living with a disease caused by smoking. Smoking is the leading cause of preventable death in the US.
2. How bad is smoking for your health? • Smoking leads to disease and disability and harms nearly every organ of the body • Harmful chemicals such as Nicotine, Lead, Ammonia and Carbon Dioxide are just some of the chemicals found in tobacco products • Smoking causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
3. Does quitting tobacco use help you in your cancer journey? YES! Studies show that people who stop using tobacco after a cancer diagnosis: •Respond better to cancer treatments •Reduce risk of side effects from cancer treatment, such as infection, scarring, fatigue, breathing problems, and mouth sores. •Recover more quickly from cancer treatment
4. How does our program help you quit tobacco use? Our Tobacco counselor will provide you with many tools and tips for quitting. In addition, you discuss the following items at each session: • Your cancer care and overall health • You will discuss the curretn status of your smoking habits and stressors, triggers, or cravings • As you move through the counseling sessions, you will discuss: stress management, slips and relapse, social supports, stigma and negative self-talk, deep breathing exercises • Discuss what you will work on between sessions