05 October 2023 , 19:52
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Years ago, I presented a series of BBC TV programmes called Quit Smoking which, over eight weeks, followed a group of people attempting to give up cigarettes. Quitting smoking isn’t easy. I’ve done it myself, but it’s essential if you have a lung complaint.
People need support and encouragement to quit, and in no area is it more important than lung cancer. That’s what’s going to happen with a new national screening programme for lung cancer with support for smoking cessation as part of it.
Researchers at Nottingham University have road-tested smoking cessation support for people receiving lung cancer screening.
Of the people who were smoking at the time of attending screening, over 80% accepted the offer of support to quit. And 30% of these people successfully quit, demonstrating the power of having support. The pay-off is enormous. It’s estimated those who quit smoking between the ages of 55-59 will have half the risk of lung cancer death compared to current smokers. For those aged 55-74, seven years of smoking cessation reduced lung-cancer mortality by 20%.
Professor Rachael Murray of Nottingham University, who led the study, said: “Our research shows with the right support, provided at the right time, we can help people stop smoking for good and save many lives in the process. This group of smokers are particularly highly addicted and need support to stop. Helping them to quit will avoid many future illnesses and improve the outcomes of treatment if they do get sick. It also reduces health inequalities, with these smokers much more likely to be on low incomes and living in disadvantaged circumstances.
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“Our research shows with the right support, provided at the right time, we can help people stop smoking for good and save many lives in the process.” A survey last year by charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH) revealed a 73% increase in demand for support to stop smoking in local authority areas that already had lung health checks.
This reflects the experience of the Cornish stop smoking service where lung health checks have already been rolled out, linking screening with a specialist stop smoking service, Healthy Cornwall. Lung Health Check staff are trained to refer people to the stop smoking service which is proving to be a great success for those who take up support, with nearly half (47%) being smoke-free at four weeks. Lewis Jones, head of Healthy Cornwall, said: “We welcomed the opportunity to work closely with the Lung Health Check programme to make sure smokers had support.”
An AI breakthrough for the NHS
It’s clear artificial intelligence could transform medicine and AI has been approved for routine use in the NHS for the first time so the technology looks set to become part of day-to-day care.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) said AI can be used when planning radiotherapy treatment. Therefore patients with lung, bowel and prostate cancers are among those who could benefit.
A major advantage of AI is it’ll be used to mark up scans making it easy for radiographers to tell tumours from healthy tissue. This task is currently done by hand, but AI, says NICE, produces work of “similar quality” needing only “minor edits”. The upside is thousands of hours of time will be freed up, shortening waiting lists and relieving pressure on radiotherapy departments.
Ask Miriam
Q: I keep getting styes in both my eyes. I have been trying lots of different ointments and drops. I also suffer with dry eyes and the rims of my eyes are always red. I keep all my eye make-up clean. Can you help please?
A: I think you may have blepharitis which is due to blockage of the grease glands at the base of your eyelashes. Without this soothing, oily protection the eyelids, and the eyes, become sore and red and vulnerable to infection.
So, first, stop using eye make-up then treat the blepharitis with a micellar eye lotion and use it three times daily. It’ll keep your eyes clean and soothed. Secondly, you’ll need to try and prevent future styes, which are an infection of the hair follicles of your eyelashes, usually carried by your fingertips when you touch your eyes. Without attention to hygiene, each touch will increase your chances of another stye. So make a conscious effort not to rub your eyes, and wash your hands often.
Bust that myth... about ageing
‘Older adults can’t learn new things’. Absolutely not true! As an older adult I, and others my age, still have the ability to learn new things, create new memories, and improve performance in a variety of skills.
Ageing often comes with changes in thinking and many are positive, such as having more knowledge and insight from a lifetime of experiences. Furthermore, trying and learning new skills improves cognitive abilities. For example, one study found that older adults who learned quilting or digital photography had improved memory.
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Maintaining social connections with others and engaging in social activities, such as a dance class or book club, can keep your brain active and boost your cognitive health.
Choosing the right compression stockings
Compression stockings can be purchased online and from pharmacies. They come in three types: class 1 stockings (light compression), class 2 (medium compression) and class 3 (high compression). The class of stocking you need depends on the condition being treated. It should be the highest compression a person can tolerate.
- Varicose veins: Class 1 or 2 stockings, depending on the severity.
- Venous eczema, healed venous leg ulcers: Class 2 stockings, or class 3 if inadequate response to class 2 stockings, or class 1 if class 2 isn’t tolerated.
- Superficial vein thrombosis: Class 2 stockings, however people may find class 2 painful. Class 1 stockings or travel stockings can be considered alternatives.