Many surgeons who conduct sexual reassignment surgery
will not perform procedures on patients who smoke
due to the increased health risks
and reduced healing effects
that occur in people who use tobacco.
What's smoking got to do with anything?
Smoking harms nearly every organ of the body and diminishes a person's overall health. Smoking is a leading cause of cancer and of death from cancer. It causes cancers of the lung, esophagus, larynx (voice box), mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach and cervix, as well as acute myeloid leukemia. Smokers are at higher risk of developing pneumonia and other airway infections.
Tobacco addiction is by far the most important risk factor in the development of lung cancer. Cigarette smoke contains more than 4,000 different chemicals, many of which are proven carcinogens (substances that cause cancer). Cigarettes increase the chance of getting lung cancer and other smoking-related illnesses. About 85% of all lung cancers are in people who smoke or who have smoked.
- National LGBT Tobacco Control Network
lgbttobacco.org - SafeGuards
www.safeguards.org
If someone you care about smokes...
Don't preach! Focus on how to support the person you care about. The average person tries to stop smoking 7-8 times before stopping permanently. Everyone knows smoking is bad, talking about it only makes someone feel bad if they want to quit and can't succeed.
- Educate yourself on how to be part of their support team during a quit attempt (call 1-800-QUITNOW for more info).
- Think about things you can do to help them relieve stress, or things you can go to that are naturally non-smoking (like movies).
- Be prepared if your buddy starts to smoke again. Remind them that every quit attempt bring them closer to the goal--and that you'll be there to help them the next time around too.
If you want to stop smoking...
When you are ready to quit, take the time to plan. Finding resources to help you is one of the best strategies to be successful.
- Tell your friends.
- Talk to your doctor about medicines that can help make it easier to stop smoking
- Consider taking some type of nicotine replacement treatment
- Call your local Quitline ( 1-800-QUITNOW) so they can teach you the best strategies to stop smoking
Seems like we all know someone who just decided to stop, threw the cigarettes away, and hasn't smoked since, right? Well, facts are, that only works for about one out of every 20 people.
For the other 19 of us, quitting smoking is a process, just like kicking any addiction is a process. Often there's many false starts too. Don't get discouraged, because every day you don't smoke brings you closer to that goal of kicking them forever.
- Great American Smokeout: Guide to Quitting Smoking
www.cancer.org/docroot/subsite/greatamericans/content/Guide_to_Quitting_Smoking.asp
Making systemic change...
Trans-inclusive and Trans-specific smoking cessation and tobacco control programs must be developed in LGBTQ health agencies and community centers as part of overall Trans health and social services. Smoking cessation programs working with Trans individuals and communities need to approach smoking cessation classes and counseling as part of a total health approach. Understand that trans people often have trouble accessing health services both in mainstream medical establishments and in lesbian and gay organizations. Smoking cessation may be a low priority among other health concerns a transgender person is facing.
Smoking
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