Smoking Cessation in Cancer Care: Myths, Presumptions and Implications for Practice

Providing cessation treatment to every oncology patient who smokes: An essential component of cancer care

“…In sum, the EHR‐enabled system‐level changes described by Matulewicz et al resulted in higher rates of screening for tobacco use and high levels of engagement with smoking treatment. Importantly, these results counter the belief that patients with cancer are not highly motivated to try to quit smoking 28 . These data show that the majority of the patients with cancer in this sample expressed a willingness to try to quit, and almost half of such patients ultimately made quit attempts.…”

Smoking cessation: health system challenges and opportunities

“…Implementation has been impeded by myths that smokers would not be receptive to advice about quitting and concerns that raising the issue of cessation would undermine the relationship between the oncologist and their patient, especially if the issue is raised at the first consultation visit. 96 Oncologists often indicate that they lack training in smoking cessation pharmacotherapy and in how to effectively counsel persons who use tobacco. 95 A common refrain is that they are just too busy to address smoking cessation given the increasing complexity of the cancer care they are required to direct.…”

“…Although the harms of continued smoking and the potential benefits of stopping have become better known in the oncology community, implementation of smoking cessation initiatives within cancer centres has been slow. Implementation has been impeded by myths that smokers would not be receptive to advice about quitting and concerns that raising the issue of cessation would undermine the relationship between the oncologist and their patient, especially if the issue is raised at the first consultation visit 96. Oncologists often indicate that they lack training in smoking cessation pharmacotherapy and in how to effectively counsel persons who use tobacco 95.…”

Pivoting the Provision of Smoking Cessation Education in a Virtual Clinical World: The Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Experience

“…Quitting smoking after a cancer diagnosis has been shown to improve treatment response [ 1 ], increase cancer-specific and overall survival outcomes [ 2 ], reduce the risk of cancer recurrence [ 3 ] and prevent secondary cancers [ 4 ]. Despite the well-documented benefits of smoking cessation, many patients continue to use commercial tobacco products throughout cancer treatment [ 5 , 6 , 7 ]. To a substantial degree, continued smoking is attributed to misbeliefs among patients and healthcare providers about the value of quitting after a cancer diagnosis.…”

“…To a substantial degree, continued smoking is attributed to misbeliefs among patients and healthcare providers about the value of quitting after a cancer diagnosis. These misbeliefs, including, “it is too late to quit smoking after a diagnosis”, and that “discussing smoking cessation is not appropriate when a patient is newly diagnosed” [ 5 ], are some of the reported misconceptions that result in patients continued use of tobacco through treatment and beyond. Previous studies have demonstrated that many cancer patients are not aware of the continued harms of smoking on their treatment outcomes [ 6 , 8 ].…”