Smoking Cessation and Lung Cancer: Oncology Nurses Can Make a Difference

Abstract

OBJECTIVES-Provide an overview of the impact of smoking after a diagnosis of lung cancer, discuss the relationship between smoking cessation and improved outcomes during the lung cancer trajectory, present information about tobacco dependence evidence-based treatments, reimbursement for these treatments, and tobacco-related resources available for patients and health care professionals, and emphasize the important role of nurses.DATA SOURCES-Published articles, reports, websites, and research studies.CONCLUSION-Tobacco use is associated with 30% of cancer deaths. Prevention of tobacco use and cessation are primary ways to prevent lung cancer. However, even after a diagnosis of lung cancer, smoking cessation is important in improving survival and quality of life. Although effective tobacco dependence treatments are available to help smokers quit smoking, persistent efforts over repeated contacts may be necessary to achieve long-term cessation.IMPLICATION FOR NURSING PRACTICE-Oncology nursing action is essential in the identification of and intervention with patients who struggle with tobacco dependence after diagnosis. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Lung cancer is one of the most common smoking-related malignancies accounting for the second most common cancer, and the leading cause of cancer death in men and women in the United States (US). Lung cancer causes more deaths than the next three most common cancers (breast, colorectal and prostate) combined. An estimated 160, 390 deaths will occur from lung cancer during 2007. It is estimated that 90% of lung cancers are related to smoking. 1 NIH Public AccessAuthor Manuscript Semin Oncol Nurs. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2009 February 1.Although the link between smoking and lung cancer is well-established, the benefits of smoking cessation after a diagnosis of lung cancer are not as widely recognized. Smoking cessation can improve survival, treatment efficacy, and improve overall quality of life 2-4 . Approximately half of all smokers have quit prior to their diagnosis 5 . Despite a diagnosis of cancer, the addictive properties of nicotine can make quitting difficult and the risk for relapse high. This article provides an overview of the impact of continued smoking after a diagnosis of lung cancer and the importance of smoking cessation. The benefits of quitting, and the important role of the oncology nurse in assisting these efforts, will be emphasized along with strategies to incorporate smoking cessation interventions into the clinical setting. Smoking Prevalence Rates and the Benefits of Ce...

Smoking Cessation: An Integral Part of Lung Cancer Treatment

“…The estimates for the prevalence of smoking at the time of lung cancer diagnosis have ranged from 24 to 60%, compared with 12–29% among the general US population [3,4,5,6,7]. Up to 83% of all smokers continue to smoke after a diagnosis of lung cancer [5,8,9]. Parsons et al [10] found in a review of 10 studies that people who continue to smoke after a diagnosis of early stage lung cancer almost double their risk of dying.…”

“…Both chemotherapy and radiation treatment are likely to produce fewer complications and less morbidity among nonsmokers than smokers [5,45]. Smoking can have detrimental effects on the efficacy of chemotherapy including chemoresistance, chemoinsensitivity, and altered chemotherapeutic levels [5].…”

“…Smoking can have detrimental effects on the efficacy of chemotherapy including chemoresistance, chemoinsensitivity, and altered chemotherapeutic levels [5]. Smoking can significantly affect the pharmacokinetics and toxicity profile of some drugs (e.g.…”

Does Quitting Smoking Make a Difference Among Newly Diagnosed Head and Neck Cancer Patients?

“…[3][4][5] Continued smoking following diagnosis is associated with decreased response to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, impaired wound healing, increased infections and circulatory problems, and late complications (eg, severe fibrosis, dysphagia). [5][6][7][8][9][10][11] Conversely, smoking cessation after diagnosis shows several medical benefits, such as decreased fatigue and shortness of breath, increased activity level and quality of life, and improved treatment toxicity. 12,13 The 2014 Surgeon General's report "The Health Consequences of Smoking-50 Years of Progress" (SGR) acknowledged causal relationships between smoking and adverse health outcomes among cancer patients, such as increases in overall mortality, cancer-specific mortality, and second primary cancers.…”

In Other Special Situations Smoking Cessation Treatments

“…Akciğer kanseri tanısı alan hastaların yaklaşık 2/3'ü sigara içmektedir (17,18) . Akciğer kanseri tanısı alanlarda kısa dönemde sigara bırakma oranları ise %37-79 arasında değişmektedir (19)(20)(21)(22) .…”