STOPtober: supporting your journey to better health
Every October, STOPtober encourages thousands of people across the UK to quit smoking and take a positive step toward better health. While breaking the habit is never easy, this national campaign is a timely reminder of the benefits of stopping smoking — from improved breathing to lowering the risk of serious illness.
Stopping smoking is often the single most important thing you can do for your health.
At Welbeck, our specialists can provide support, expert advice, and diagnostic testing to help you on your journey.
The impact of smoking on health
Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable illness worldwide, affecting almost every organ in the body. It significantly increases the risk of lung cancer, heart disease, stroke, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Even a few cigarettes a day can damage your lungs and reduce overall lung capacity.
Many people notice symptoms such as a persistent cough, wheezing, or shortness of breath, which are often early warning signs of more serious conditions. However, many smoking-related diseases don’t present with symptoms until they're quite advanced. Even within days of quitting, your circulatory health will rapidly improve, carbon monoxide levels in the blood will fall, and your lung health will improve.
Support from Dr Susannah Bloch at Welbeck
At Welbeck, respiratory consultant Dr Susannah Bloch is available to see patients for consultations related to smoking and lung health. She's an expert in lung cancer and general respiratory medicine and therefore has a deep understanding of the importance of stopping smoking. She can provide a detailed assessment of the impact smoking may have had on your respiratory system, discuss the challenges of quitting, and offer evidence-based advice.
Where appropriate, she can prescribe medication to support smoking cessation, helping to make the transition easier and more sustainable. Having tailored medical guidance increases the chances of successfully quitting and minimises the risk of relapse.
Advanced lung diagnostics at Welbeck
Understanding your lung health is an important part of the journey to stopping smoking. At Welbeck, our lung health specialists offer comprehensive lung function testing designed to assess breathing capacity and inflammation. This includes spirometry, which measures airflow and lung volume, and the fractional exhaled nitric Oxide (FeNO) test, which evaluates airway inflammation, as well as other tests.
Together, these tests give a clear picture of lung function and can detect early signs of conditions such as asthma or COPD.
Imaging of the lungs may also be appropriate. We know that those aged 55 to 74 with a significant smoking history benefit from lung cancer screening. At Welbeck, Dr Susannah Bloch and the lung team can also offer a comprehensive screening package with low dose CT scan, if appropriate. Detecting Lung cancer early dramatically improves survival and lung cancer screening saves lives.
Take the next step with Welbeck
If you’re ready to make a change this STOPtober, booking a consultation with a Welbeck lung health specialist could be the first step toward better health. By combining expert medical guidance with advanced diagnostics, you can get a full understanding of your lung function and the support you need to quit successfully.
Whether you're looking for advice, prescription medication, or reassurance about your respiratory health, Welbeck is here to help you breathe easier and live healthier.