Why I’m all for more ‘smoking’ in hospital

MORE men now die from prostate cancer than women from breast cancer, according to figures released last week.

Some argued that research money for breast cancer has overshadowed male cancers. But the story is far more complex.

Firstly, men are living much longer, into their 80s and 90s. In this age group, prostate cancer is very common. But many studies also show that men are less likely to seek help for symptoms, especially those that will result in an intimate examination, resulting in delayed diagnoses and higher mortality rates.

All cancers must be treated with the same importance when it comes to funding. But men also need to take an active role in protecting their own bodies by getting help early. FOR the past year I have been recommending e-cigarettes to my smoking patients. So I was delighted to read that Public Health England have called for them to be made available in hospital shops.

The health watchdog says vaping is 95 per cent less harmful than lighting up a standard cigarette.

E-cigarettes are not entirely risk-free but are far less risky than tobacco cigarettes.

Both contain nicotine, but e-cigarettes do not contain carcinogenic tobacco, nor do they produce the smoke which accounts for health problems including cancers and heart disease.

Despite the wealth of evidence about the dangers of smoking, about 79,000 people are still dying from smoke-related deaths every year in the UK.

I will continue to advocate the use of e-cigarettes to my patients with the hope of slashing this number in the near future.