A new study conducted by by the National Cancer Registry of Ireland (NCRI) has found that head and neck cancer patients who smoke at the time of diagnosis have a significantly increased rate of death from cancer.

The study has found that over one in two of these patients identified were smokers at diagnosis while one in five were ex-smokers.

The research found was that smoking increased the rate of cancer death within five years of being diagnosed.

When the study compared current smokers to those that had never smoked, current smokers had a 36% increased death rate from cancer, while ex-smokers had a only a very small increased death rate.

The rate of death due to cancer was significantly raised in smokers with tumours of the oral cavity, pharynx and larynx tumours.

The risk of cancer death was higher in current smokers who underwent cancer surgery than in those who did not. Another key finding was that neither chemotherapy nor radiotherapy changed the effect of smoking.

According to the NCRI, these results suggest that the relationship may be explained, at least in part, by adverse effects of smoking on surgical outcomes and disease recurrence.

The NCRI says greater efforts to encourage smoking cessation in those newly diagnosed with head and neck cancer swould help significantly improve cancer survival.

Dr Harry Comber, one of the authors, said "Our study supports the conclusion of the recent US Surgeon General's report that smoking cessation may prolong the survival of cancer patients compared to persistent smoking.

"It suggests that benefits would accrue from greater efforts to encourage and support smoking cessation in those at risk of, and diagnosed with, head and neck cancer. We must convey the message that it is never too late to quit smoking."