How can we better help cancer patients quit smoking? The London Regional Cancer Program experience with smoking cessation

Background Because continued cigarette smoking after a cancer diagnosis is associated with detrimental outcomes, supporting cancer patients with smoking cessation is imperative. We evaluated the effect of the Smoking Cessation Program at the London Regional Cancer Program (lrcp) over a 2-year period.Methods The Smoking Cessation Program at the lrcp began in March 2014. New patients are screened for tobacco use. Tobacco users are counselled about the benefits of cessation and are offered referral to the program. If a patient accepts, a smoking cessation champion offers additional counselling. Follow-up is provided by interactive voice response (ivr) telephone system. Accrual data were collected monthly from January 2015 to December 2016 and were evaluated.Results During 2015–2016, 10,341 patients were screened for tobacco use, and 18% identified themselves as current or recent tobacco users. In 2015, 84% of tobacco users were offered referral, but only 13% accepted, and 3% enrolled in ivr follow-up. At the lrcp in 2016, 77% of tobacco users were offered referral to the program, but only 9% of smokers accepted, and only 2% enrolled in ivr follow-up.Conclusions The Smoking Cessation Program at the lrcp has had modest success, because multiple factors influence a patient’s success with cessation. Limitations of the program include challenges in referral and counselling, limited access to nicotine replacement therapy (nrt), and minimal follow-up. To mitigate some of those challenges, a pilot project was launched in January 2017 in which patients receive free nrt and referral to the local health unit.

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Supporting cancer patients quit smoking: the initial evaluation of our tobacco cessation intervention program

Journal of Radiotherapy in Practice ◽

10.1017/s1460396919000451 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 19 (2) ◽

pp. 163-172 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Ernest Osei ◽

Rahil Kassim ◽

Kelly A. Cronin ◽

Barbara-Anne Maier

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Initial Evaluation ◽

Smoking Cessation Program ◽

Sufficient Evidence ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Quit Smoking ◽

Cessation Intervention ◽

Readiness To Quit

AbstractBackground:Tobacco is a known addictive consumer product and its use has been reported to be associated with several health problems as well as the leading cause of premature, preventable mortality worldwide. For patients undergoing cancer treatment, tobacco smoking can potentially compromise treatment effectiveness; however, there is sufficient evidence suggesting numerous health benefits of smoking cessation interventions for cancer patients.Methods:The Grand River Regional Cancer Centre (GRRCC) smoking cessation program began in October 2013 to provide evidence-based intensive tobacco intervention to patients. All new patients are screened for tobacco use and those identified as active smokers are advised of the benefits of cessation and offered referral to the program where a cessation nurse offers counseling. Patients’ disease site, initial cessation goal, quit date, number of quit attempts and mode of contact are collected by the cessation nurse. This study reports on the initial evaluation of the smoking cessation program activities at GRRCC.Results:There are 1,210 patients who were screened, accepted a referral and counseled in the program. The referral pattern shows a modest increase every year and most of the patients (58%) indicated readiness to quit smoking. Overall, 29 and 26% of patients either quit or cut-back smoking, respectively. Among 348 patients who quit smoking, 300 (86%) were able to quit at the first attempt. The data indicated that 309 (44%) out of the 698 patients who indicated their initial intent to quit smoking were able to quit, whereas about 242 (35%) were able to cutback. A total of 15 patients out of 32 who indicated initial readiness to ‘cutback’ smoking were able to reduce tobacco use and three patients actually ended up quitting, although their initial goal was ‘ready-to-cut-back’.Conclusions:GRRCC smoking cessation program started in October 2013 to provide evidence-based intensive smoking cessation interventions for patients with cancer. Most patients referred to the program indicated a readiness to quit smoking affirming that if patients become aware of the various risks associated with continual smoking or if they are informed of the benefits associated with cessation with regard to their treatment, they will be more likely to decide to quit. Therefore, it is essential that patients, their partners and families are counseled on the health and treatment benefits of smoking cessation and sustainable programs should be available to support them to quit smoking. It is imperative then, that oncology programs should consistently identify and document the smoking status of cancer patients and support those who use tobacco at the time of diagnosis to quit. Evidence-based smoking cessation intervention should be sustainably integrated into the cancer care continuum in all oncology programs from prevention of cancer through diagnosis, treatment, survivorship and palliative care.

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Does free nicotine replacement improve smoking cessation rates in cancer patients?

Current Oncology ◽

10.3747/co.27.5267 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 27 (1) ◽

Author(s):

A. J Arifin ◽

L. C. McCracken ◽

S. Nesbitt ◽

A. Warner ◽

R. E. Dinniwell ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Cigarette Smoking ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Smoking Cessation Program ◽

Complication Rates ◽

Cigarette Use ◽

Smoking Reduction ◽

Nicotine Replacement ◽

Patients With Cancer

Background Cigarette smoking is carcinogenic and has been linked to inferior treatment outcomes and complication rates in cancer patients. Here, we report the results of an 18-month pilot smoking cessation program that provided free nicotine replacement therapy (nrt).Methods In January 2017, the smoking cessation program at our institution began offering free nrt for actively cigarette-smoking patients with cancer. The cost of 4 weeks of nrt was covered by the program, and follow-up was provided by smoking cessation champions.Results From January 2017 to June 2018, 8095 patients with cancer were screened for cigarette use, of whom 1135 self-identified as current or recent smokers. Of those 1135 patients, 117 enrolled in the program and accepted a prescription for nrt. The rates of patient referral and patients attending a referral appointment were significantly higher in 2018–2018 than they had been in 2015–2016 (100% vs. 80.3%, p < 0.001, and 27.6% vs. 11.3%, p < 0.001, respectively). Median follow-up was 9.0 months (25%–75% interquartile range: 5.7–11.6 months). Of the patients who accepted nrt and who also had complete data (n = 71), 25 (35.2%) reported complete smoking cessation, and 32 (45.1%) reported only decreased cigarette smoking. On univariable analysis, no factors were significantly predictive of smoking cessation, although initial cigarette use (>10 vs. ≤10 initial cigarettes) was significantly predictive of smoking reduction (odds ratio: 5.04; 95% confidence interval: 1.46 to 17.45; p = 0.011).Conclusions This pilot study of free nrt demonstrated rates of referral and acceptance of nrt that were improved compared with historical rates, and most referred patients either decreased their use of cigarettes or quit entirely.

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Cigarette dependence and depressive symptoms as predictors of smoking status at five-year follow-up after a workplace smoking cessation program

Addictive Behaviors ◽

10.1016/j.addbeh.2017.04.003 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 73 ◽

pp. 9-15 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Gemma Nieva ◽

Marina Comín ◽

Sergi Valero ◽

Eugeni Bruguera

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Depressive Symptoms ◽

Smoking Status ◽

Smoking Cessation Program ◽

Workplace Smoking ◽

Cigarette Dependence

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A Collaborative Model for Facilitating the Delivery of Smoking Cessation Treatments to Cancer Patients: Results From Three Oncology Practices in South Carolina

The Journal of Smoking Cessation ◽

10.1017/jsc.2018.23 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (2) ◽

pp. 112-124

Author(s):

Daniel J. Kilpatrick ◽

Kathleen B. Cartmell ◽

Abdoulaye Diedhiou ◽

K. Michael Cummings ◽

Graham W. Warren ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

South Carolina ◽

Quality Improvement ◽

Collaborative Learning ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Tobacco Cessation ◽

Dissemination And Implementation ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Cancer Centers

Introduction: Continued smoking by cancer patients causes adverse cancer treatment outcomes, but few patients receive evidence-based smoking cessation as a standard of care.Aim: To evaluate practical strategies to promote wide-scale dissemination and implementation of evidence-based tobacco cessation services within state cancer centers.Methods: A Collaborative Learning Model (CLM) for Quality Improvement was evaluated with three community oncology practices to identify barriers and facilitate practice change to deliver evidence-based smoking cessation treatments to cancer patients using standardized assessments and referrals to statewide smoking cessation resources. Patients were enrolled and tracked through an automated data system and received follow-up cessation support post-enrollment. Monthly quantitative reports and qualitative data gathered through interviews and collaborative learning sessions were used to evaluate meaningful quality improvement changes in each cancer center.Results: Baseline practice evaluation for the CLM identified the lack of tobacco use documentation, awareness of cessation guidelines, and awareness of services for patients as common barriers. Implementation of a structured assessment and referral process demonstrated that of 1,632 newly registered cancer patients,1,581 (97%) were screened for tobacco use. Among those screened, 283 (18%) were found to be tobacco users. Of identified tobacco users, 207 (73%) were advised to quit. Referral of new patients who reported using tobacco to an evidence-based cessation program increased from 0% at baseline across all three cancer centers to 64% (range = 30%–89%) during the project period.Conclusions: Implementation of quality improvement learning collaborative models can dramatically improve delivery of guideline-based tobacco cessation treatments to cancer patients.

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Characteristics and Correlates of Tobacco Use in a Community Sample of Sexual Minority Men and Women: Implications for Smoking Cessation Program Development

LGBT Health ◽

10.1089/lgbt.2016.0157 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 5 (3) ◽

pp. 197-202 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Conall O'Cleirigh ◽

Steven A. Elsesser ◽

Dana King ◽

Peter P. Ehlinger ◽

Judith B. Bradford ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Program Development ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Sexual Minority ◽

Community Sample ◽

Smoking Cessation Program ◽

Men And Women ◽

Sexual Minority Men ◽

Minority Men

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One year follow-up of the Chicago televised smoking cessation program.

American Journal of Public Health ◽

10.2105/ajph.79.10.1377 ◽

1989 ◽

Vol 79 (10) ◽

pp. 1377-1380 ◽

Cited By ~ 31

Author(s):

B R Flay ◽

C L Gruder ◽

R B Warnecke ◽

L A Jason ◽

P Peterson

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Smoking Cessation Program ◽

One Year

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1770 – Pattern of tobacco use and psychopathology in patients with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder that participated in multicomponent smoking cessation program

European Psychiatry ◽

10.1016/s0924-9338(13)76747-6 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 28 ◽

pp. 1

Author(s):

L. García-Álvarez ◽

P. García-Portilla ◽

P. Rico-Villademoros ◽

E. Elizagarate ◽

A. Ubis ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Bipolar Disorder ◽

Smoking Cessation ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Smoking Cessation Program

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Addressing Tobacco Use in Underserved Communities Through a Peer-Facilitated Smoking Cessation Program

Journal of Community Health ◽

10.1007/s10900-019-00635-8 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 44 (5) ◽

pp. 921-931

Author(s):

Jummai Apata ◽

Payam Sheikhattari ◽

Lisa Bleich ◽

Farin Kamangar ◽

Anne Marie O’Keefe ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Smoking Cessation Program ◽

Underserved Communities

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Smoking Cessation: Case Study of a Client with Probable Borderline Personality Disorder

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/pr0.106.3.918-926 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 106 (3) ◽

pp. 918-926

Author(s):

Elena Fernández del Río ◽

Ana López ◽

Elisardo Becoñta

Keyword(s):

Smoking Cessation ◽

Borderline Personality Disorder ◽

Personality Disorder ◽

Tobacco Use ◽

Psychological Treatment ◽

Borderline Personality

This report concerns the case of a female client with a probable borderline personality disorder who requested psychological treatment for the cessation of smoking. After six sessions, this client gave up smoking and remained abstinent at follow-up after 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. The presence of a probable borderline personality disorder did not interfere in the cessation of tobacco use or in the maintenance of abstinence.

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