Barbara Kane

Barbara Kane is a testament to the difficulty so many people face in their battle to quit smoking. The 63-year-old grandmother and cancer survivor is well aware that her bout of lung cancer in 2010 was brought on by more than 47 years of smoking.

Yet despite knowing this, Kane continued to smoke as much as two packs a day in between her radiation and chemotherapy treatments.

It was only when Kane joined the Montreal Chest Institute’s Smoking Cessation Clinic that she became motivated to give up her life-long habit.

The clinic has helped many people successfully quit smoking by offering individualized care consisting of medical tests, group sessions and medication to reduce their addiction. Many who turn to the clinic have tried unsuccessfully to give up the habit on their own.

Soon after joining, Kane began to ask herself what all the radiation and chemotherapy was for if she was going to continue her deadly habit.

Despite challenges along the way Kane beat her cancer, kicked her smoking habit, and can now focus on more “mundane” health issues, like her arthritis.