Smoking can lead to worse outcomes for people with prostate cancer. Smoking damages blood vessels, reduces oxygen, slows healing, and causes more inflammation, which can increase the risk of cancer coming back or leading to death. Quitting smoking is important at any stage, even after a cancer diagnosis, and can improve heart and lung health, help wounds heal, and make treatments easier to handle. Support for quitting, like counseling, nicotine replacement, and medications, can be effective. It is not about blaming anyone—many people need help and may try several times before they succeed. A healthcare team can help you make a plan to quit.
Smoking and prostate cancer outcomes infographic.