Copyright grimsbytelegraph
A woman from Grimsby is urging smokers to seek help in order to quit. It comes after Wendy Robinson had to undergo surgery to remove lung cancer. Wendy said that as a young person, smoking was much more common. By the age of 12, she had started smoking. She became addicted and continued to smoke for another 33 years. However, thanks to a vape, she managed to kick the habit. Wendy had to have a scan following recent surgery for kidney cancer. Sadly, this scan revealed a growth on her lung. She said: “It was a real shock when I discovered that they’d found a nodule on my lung, especially after already having had surgery for kidney cancer, but I couldn’t believe the speed it was dealt with – I had an appointment with a consultant within three weeks, and surgery was scheduled to remove the nodule by the end of January. “It is scary to think that the lung cancer could still be there without me knowing. I have missed too much because of smoking, and I don’t want to miss anything else – I’m so glad that I’ve quit and I’m doing everything I can to protect my future health, and help other people to do the same.” Wendy’s consultant, Mr Michael Gooseman, Consultant Thoracic Surgeon based at Castle Hill Hospital in Cottingham added: “Wendy has been incredibly brave and generous in sharing her story so openly with the aim of helping others and to provide real inspiration to stop smoking. “When patients are found to have nodules in the lungs there will be many occasions where they continue to smoke. I want to emphasise there are huge health benefits through stopping smoking at any stage, but especially when changes have occurred in the lungs. Smoking can cause ongoing damage to the lung, meaning it’s harder to breathe and makes surgery a riskier option. In some cases, it is not safe to offer surgery as the patients’ lungs are not strong enough. “Wendy’s story shows the excellent outcomes that can be achieved. I am delighted with how her surgery went, being discharged the day following major surgery and making the fantastic recovery she has. She has remained extremely positive, showing the benefits stopping smoking can bring.” Wendy’s story is part of the ‘Yes to Quit’ campaign, which took place earlier this year throughout Yorkshire and the Humber region. It asked audiences about important life events they might miss due to smoking, such as weddings, births or quality time with others. Scott Crosby, Associate Director for the Humber and North Yorkshire Centre for Excellence in Tobacco Control, said: “Smoking rates have gradually declined over the years, however there are still thousands of people across our communities who have been snared into smoking from a young age by clever marketing from big tobacco companies and are now living with debilitating health conditions such as cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, emphysema, and cancer. “The progression of the historic Tobacco and Vapes Bill marks a once-in-a-generation chance to protect people from this uniquely lethal product and make it easier for smokers to quit for good. “Most people who smoke want to stop, and with the right support – whether stop smoking services, quitting aids, or switching completely to vaping – it’s much easier. Thousands successfully quit every year and live healthier, longer lives and our Yes to Quit campaign hopes to drive more people than ever before to quit for good. North East Lincolnshire Council’s stop smoking service offers a variety of support. This includes face-to-face support and advice, phone calls/texts and stop smoking aids that can help you to not smoke when you feel you really want to. You can also get access to a free vape starter kit, with up to 12-week supply of salts when using the service and meeting regularly with the team, as well as Nicotine Replacement Therapy (NRT), such as nicotine patches and gum. You can use more than one of these paths. To find out more, discover a support venue near you or self-refer by visiting: www.nelincs.gov.uk/stop-smoking. Call (01472) 325500, Monday to Friday, 8.30am – 4pm, except bank holidays, or email: wellbeingservice@nelincs.gov.uk. Get all the latest headlines sent straight to your inbox for free with our newsletter. You can stay up to date with all the breaking news and top stories in our area as they happen by clicking this link.
