Smoking behaviors of women after diagnosis with lung cancer.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to describe the smoking behavior of women with a recent diagnosis or recurrence of lung cancer. A convenience sample of women (N = 65) participated in interviews about their smoking status, their perception of the effect of their diagnosis on the smoking behaviors of others, and self reports of symptom distress and functional status. Content analysis of the audiotapes was used to classify responses. Exemplars describe feelings related to smoking, smoking cessation, and responses of others. Current smokers were likely to be younger (F4.60 = 4.3, p < .05). In this small sample, symptom distress and functional status were not statistically differentiated by smoking status; current smokers had the greatest mean distress from cough. Diagnosis had a variable effect on the smoking behavior of family members with over 25% stopping smoking in response to the diagnosis; 31% of smoking spouses continued to smoke.