Should lung cancer patients quit smoking in the late stages?

Question

Hi doctor,

My friend, 38, has terminal cancer and is struggling with whether to continue smoking or quit. He often says he wants to enjoy life fully, but also wonders about the impact on his health.

This made me think about how a 38-year-old terminal cancer patient balances living fully versus quitting smoking, because it is a difficult situation.

Would quitting still improve symptoms or overall well-being, or is it more about personal choice at this stage? We want to support him, but are unsure what advice is best.

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I understand your concern.

I wish you good health and speed recovery for your friend.

It is a difficult situation, but stopping smoking is very important. Some people think that once a case is considered terminal, there is no point in management or lifestyle changes.

But this is not true because we do see stage four or even terminal cases where certain types respond dramatically to treatment, and their life expectancy improves significantly, along with overall clinical condition improvement.

There are many medications and new therapies that continue to provide new hope and breakthroughs in cancer management. For example, in stage four lung cancer, we now have clear options such as targeted therapy and immunotherapy guided by genomic testing, and then we plan the most appropriate treatment.

We strongly prefer in these stages to provide full supportive care, including emotional support and understanding, if the patient reduces or completely stops smoking. It can significantly improve his health status and help him continue treatment in a better condition.

I hope my answer is clear to you, and please do not hesitate to ask any questions at any time.

Thank you.