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Make it a Date - Stub it Out
By Eilish Martin, 8/18/2003 4:52:50 PM
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The Ulster Cancer Foundation today launched its No Smoking Day campaign? helped by a woman who had a lung removed after smoking for 30 years.
Anne McKiernan (51), from Quay Road in Ballycastle, was diagnosed with lung cancer in June last year. A month later the surgery was performed at Belfast?s Royal Victoria Hospital by chest surgeon Mr Jim McGuigan and his team.
Mr McGuigan was also at UCF headquarters today to take part in a news conference to launch No Smoking Day (NSD) on 12 March.
Mrs McKiernan said: ?I was 45 when I had my son Jimmy, who?s now six. He kept saying that smoke was hurting his eyes and making him cough, so I stopped smoking four years ago.
?Unfortunately, the damage had already been done. Mr McGuigan saved my life, but my story should be a warning to other smokers.
?My right lung was removed and because of my cancer I now have only 45% of my original lung capacity.
?I smoked about 20 a day, and more when I went out at night. How I wish someone had helped me realise the risk I was taking when I started smoking at 18 all those years ago.?
Gerry McElwee, UCF head of cancer prevention, told today?s news conference that more aids and support services than ever are now available to help people quit smoking for good.
UCF itself provides several services to help people stop. They include a helpline (028 9066 3281), a support group at its headquarters in Belfast, a counselling service at its offices in L?Derry, nurse counsellors and support leaflets.
An increasing number of stop-smoking services are now also provided by the health boards and trusts.
Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT) products that can be used include gums, lozenges and tablets; patches; and nasal sprays and inhalers. These and the drug Zyban can also double the smoker?s chances of stopping.
The NSD national campaign this year asks a simple question ? Sick of Smoking?
Mr McElwee said: ?There is no doubt that the vast majority of smokers are sick of the habit, but some of them find it very difficult to give up.
?It is important that people know about the range of aids and that they are not on their own as they try to stop.
?The health benefits begin within 20 minutes of stopping and will greatly increase over the years. Cigarettes can now cost over £4 for a packet of 20, so there are also financial benefits in giving up.?
Every year in Northern Ireland, smoking causes 2,800 deaths from cancer and other illnesses.
Smoking is on the decrease among men in the province, but on the increase among women. Now, 26% of men smoke: 28% of women.
In 1993 lung cancer caused 540 deaths among men, but the figure fell to 456 in 2000.
Among women, however, the number of deaths rose from 268 to 329.
Mr McElwee added: ?Lung cancer now causes more deaths among women in Northern Ireland than breast cancer. In 2000, 285 women died from breast cancer, compared with the lung cancer figure of 329.
?We are particularly concerned that more young women and schoolgirls are now smoking.?
The NSD campaign in the province is co-ordinated by UCF and supported by GlaxoSmithKline?s NiQuitin CQ.
And some tips to help you stop smoking?
·Name a quit date, like No Smoking Day (12 March), and use the time to prepare
·Get as much information as possible about treatments and services that can help
·Write down all the reasons why you want to stop and keep the note handy to keep you motivated
·Enlist the support of friends, family and workmates
·Stay away from smoky bars and restaurants for a few days - they can undermine your willpower
·Practise saying 'no thanks, I don't smoke'
Ends
For further information please contact the UCF?s Gerry McElwee on 028 9066 3281 or 07880-504577 (mobile).
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