December 22, 2010 - While the relationship between smoking and cancer is well established, a new study has found that those who continue to smoke after a cancer diagnosis experience greater pain than non-smokers. The study found that current smokers experienced more severe pain than those who had never smoked and former smokers.

“Although more research is needed to understand the mechanisms that relate nicotine to pain, physicians should aggressively promote smoking cessation among cancer patients. Preliminary findings suggest that smoking cessation will improve the overall treatment response and quality of life,” the study author said.

Pain is a common side-effect of cancer.

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http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=18401