Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada and University of Nevada, Las Vegas are helping residents of Southern Nevada quit smoking. Comprehensive has placed eight tobacco drop-off bins on three UNLV campuses:
- One at the Paradise Campus (851 E. Tropicana Ave., 89119)
- One at the Shadow Lane Campus (1001 Shadow Lane, 89106),
- Two at the Student Union on the Maryland Campus (4505 S. Maryland Parkway, 89154)
- The remaining four will be stationed at Thomas & Mack Center or Sam Boyd Stadium during events
I Quit For…
At the heart of this campaign is an effort to keep Southern Nevadans from ever having to visit one of our clinics. Our friends at UNLV have taken an admirable step to positively impact the thousands of students and visitors that visit their beautiful campus each day or attend major events. Together, we’re hoping many in our community choose longevity and their livelihood over an addiction.
Are you ready to make the pledge and quit smoking? Here’s what to do:
- Look for our “I Quit For” bins located at UNLV and Thomas & Mack Center or Sam Boyd Stadium
- Dispose of your unused cigarette packs or e-cigarettes in the bins
- Make the promise to quit smoking for a loved one! Write their name on a pledge form which can be found at the bin or you can download the form below.
- Take a photo of yourself holding up the pledge form, and share it with your loved ones by posting to social media using #IQuitFor.
More than 1,600 Nevadans will be diagnosed with lung cancer this year. At Comprehensive, we’re dedicated to raising lung cancer awareness and encouraging our community to take the steps to reduce their risk. Smoking cigarettes is one of the main risk factors for developing lung cancer; it can even increase the risk for nonsmokers if they’re around someone who does smoke. Discover some reasons to quit smoking, and learn how to get involved in the I Quit For campaign.
Why You Should Quit Smoking
Did you know that smoking is one of the main causes of lung cancer? It contributes to about 80 percent of all lung cancer deaths. Men who smoke tobacco are 23 times more likely to develop lung cancer, while women smokers are 13 times more likely compared to nonsmokers.
Even if you do not smoke, exposure to secondhand smoke can increase your risk of developing lung cancer by about 20 percent. By being near someone who smokes causes approximately 7,330 lung cancer deaths among nonsmokers every year. That’s one of the reasons we encourage our community to quit smoking—if not for yourself and your own health, do it for your loved ones.
Here are some more reasons to quit smoking:
Benefits of quitting smoking
When you quit smoking, your body will go through many changes that improve your health immensely. Here are some examples:
- After two hours without a cigarette, your heart rate and blood pressure will approach normal levels again.
- After 24 hours, your risk for coronary artery disease and heart attack will begin to reduce.
- After 48 hours, your nerve endings will start to regrow. Also, your senses of smell and taste will begin to improve.
- After just three days, your body will be completely free of nicotine.
- After one year without smoking, your risk for heart disease lowers to half that of a smoker’s.
- After five years, your risk of having a stroke drops to the same as that of a nonsmoker.
- After 10 years, your risk of dying from lung cancer will drop to half that of a smoker’s.
Quit Smoking Methods
Ready to quit smoking? Although the process may be difficult, there are many resources out there to help you. Check out some of the most successful quitting smoking tips.
Prepare and plan ahead
Going “Cold Turkey” can often be difficult. Before you quit, develop a Quit Plan to make the process easier. Talk to your doctor about methods that will help you quit. He or she can provide more information on:
- Classes you can attend to teach you methods to quit
- Helpful mobile apps you can use to track your progress
- Nicotine replacement therapy or certain medications that can help curb cravings
Also, build a support system of family and friends who can be there for you to help you stay on track.
Stay active
When you stay busy, it can help distract you from thinking about smoking. If you get the urge to smoke, try other activities to keep your mind off it:
- Regular exercise or taking a daily walk
- Chewing gum or hard candy
- Keeping your hands busy with toys like a Fidget Spinner or a mobile game
- Relaxation techniques like deep breathing and meditation
Avoid your triggers
Triggers are people, places, and things that may remind you of smoking or that make it harder for you to quit. Avoid these triggers by hanging out with nonsmokers. Go to restaurants and other places that don’t allow smoking. Clean your house and car to remove the smell of smoke from your furniture, clothes, and more. Throw out your cigarette pack, lighters, and any other smoking paraphernalia that may remind you to light up again.
Lung Cancer Awareness at Comprehensive
To learn more about lung cancer awareness and lung cancer treatment, contact the team at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada for more information. Call 702-952-3350 today.
