Smoking status in patients with a new cancer diagnosis and effectiveness of smoking cessation efforts.

Abstract

e17699 Background: Smoking is associated with increased incidence of morbidity and mortality, but its effects after a diagnosis of cancer are less well studied. We hypothesized that patients who presented with a new cancer diagnosis who were active smokers would be less likely to undergo chemotherapy, have higher mortality and be only modestly successful at smoking cessation efforts. Methods: The database at our community cancer center was queried to look at rates of smoking, smoking cessation, chemotherapy treatments and mortality. Results: Between November 1, 2012 and January 31, 2014, 2448 patients with an oncology diagnosis were assessed for smoking status. Of those, 412 (16.8%) were current smokers. Current smokers were offered smoking cessation tools including in office counseling and enrollment into a focused smoking cessation program called Quitworks. Subsequently, 30 (7.3%) patients quit smoking. Of the 412 current smokers, 159 (38.6%) patients were given literature on smoking cessation. Of those given literature on smoking cessation, 7 actually quit (4.4%), while of the patients not given smoking cessation literature, 23 (9.0%) quit. Patients who were current smokers were more likely to receive chemotherapy as part of their treatment course (50.2 vs. 36.5%), but more likely to die during the time period (12.4% of patients vs. 7.4%). Conclusions: Patients who smoke at the time of their cancer diagnosis are more likely than non-or former smokers to undergo chemotherapy and suffer earlier mortality than non-or former smokers. This is likely a reflection of both comorbid conditions and presenting with more advanced cancer. Despite its importance, smoking cessation efforts in this population were offered only to a minority of patients and were ineffective, as nearly twice as many patients in the group not offered smoking cessation tools quit. These results emphasize the importance of smoking cessation and development of effective programs for smoking cessation efforts. 412 Active Smokers 159 (38.6%) given smoking cessation literature 253 (61.4%) NOT given smoking cessation literature 7 Quit (4.4%) 23 Quit (9.1%)