Cigarette smoking is considered the no. 1 risk factor for cancer of the pancreas. Smokers have a two- to three-fold increased risk, and about 30 percent of pancreatic cancer patients were smokers at the time of diagnosis.
Because of this kind of health risk and a desire to have its health-care workers model healthy behaviors, Penn State Milton S. Hershey Medical Center and Penn State College of Medicine remind the public that the Medical Center will become a tobacco-free organization as of Jan. 1. Smoking and tobacco use of any kind will no longer be permitted on the grounds of Medical Center facilities. The tobacco-free policy extends to both employees and visitors.
The Medical Center currently offers a number of programs and health-care-benefits incentives for individuals to quit smoking. Information on the smoking cessation program offered at the Medical Center can be found by calling (800) 243-1455 or at http://www.hmc.psu.edu/heartandvascular/programs/general/wellness/smoking.htm online.