Smoking patterns and the intention to quit in German cancer patients: a cross-sectional study

TY - JOUR

T1 - Smoking patterns and the intention to quit in German cancer patients: a cross-sectional study

AU - Bokemeyer, Frederike

AU - Lebherz, Lisa

AU - Bokemeyer, Carsten

AU - Gali, Kathleen

AU - Schulz, Holger

AU - Bleich, Christiane

N1 - © 2024. The Author(s).

PY - 2024/6/6

Y1 - 2024/6/6

N2 - BACKGROUND: Continued smoking after a cancer diagnosis can be associated with lower treatment tolerance, poorer outcomes, and reduced quality of life compared to non-smoking cancer patients or to those who have quit. Yet about 60% of patients continue to smoke after being diagnosed and find it difficult to quit. To address this problem, it is necessary to identify current and past smoking patterns (e.g., frequency of use, types of tobacco products) and determine whether there is motivation to quit. Similarly, factors associated with continued smoking should be identified. These data will provide the basis for the development of smoking cessation programs tailored to the needs of cancer patients.METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to cancer patients older than 18 years in a German Comprehensive Cancer Center. Participating cancer patients were divided into three main groups: 1) patients who stopped smoking before being diagnosed with cancer (Ex-before); 2) patients who stopped smoking after a cancer diagnosis (Ex-after); and 3) patients who currently smoke cigarettes (CS). Sociodemographic, medical, and psychosocial data were collected, as well as smoking patterns and the motivation to quit smoking.RESULTS: About half of patients (51%) who smoked before diagnosis continue to smoke after a cancer diagnosis. Being diagnosed with a tobacco-related cancer type was associated with a decreased probability of continued smoking. Patients with tobacco-related tumors and receiving positive support in burdensome situations were more likely to have a higher cigarette dependence. Of all CS, 59.1% had intention to quit, and 22.7% reported having taken action to quit. The support by a smoking cessation program was considered important. CS were willing to spend up to €100 for support and were open to multiple sessions per week, group sessions, one-on-one sessions and/or online support.CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the importance of educating cancer patients about the consequences of smoking and to provide them with support to quit. Identified risk factors may further help to recognize cancer patients with high risk of continued smoking after diagnosis.TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at OSF ( https://osf.io/3c9km ) and published as a study protocol at " https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/4/e069570 ".

AB - BACKGROUND: Continued smoking after a cancer diagnosis can be associated with lower treatment tolerance, poorer outcomes, and reduced quality of life compared to non-smoking cancer patients or to those who have quit. Yet about 60% of patients continue to smoke after being diagnosed and find it difficult to quit. To address this problem, it is necessary to identify current and past smoking patterns (e.g., frequency of use, types of tobacco products) and determine whether there is motivation to quit. Similarly, factors associated with continued smoking should be identified. These data will provide the basis for the development of smoking cessation programs tailored to the needs of cancer patients.METHODS: A questionnaire was distributed to cancer patients older than 18 years in a German Comprehensive Cancer Center. Participating cancer patients were divided into three main groups: 1) patients who stopped smoking before being diagnosed with cancer (Ex-before); 2) patients who stopped smoking after a cancer diagnosis (Ex-after); and 3) patients who currently smoke cigarettes (CS). Sociodemographic, medical, and psychosocial data were collected, as well as smoking patterns and the motivation to quit smoking.RESULTS: About half of patients (51%) who smoked before diagnosis continue to smoke after a cancer diagnosis. Being diagnosed with a tobacco-related cancer type was associated with a decreased probability of continued smoking. Patients with tobacco-related tumors and receiving positive support in burdensome situations were more likely to have a higher cigarette dependence. Of all CS, 59.1% had intention to quit, and 22.7% reported having taken action to quit. The support by a smoking cessation program was considered important. CS were willing to spend up to €100 for support and were open to multiple sessions per week, group sessions, one-on-one sessions and/or online support.CONCLUSION: These findings underscore the importance of educating cancer patients about the consequences of smoking and to provide them with support to quit. Identified risk factors may further help to recognize cancer patients with high risk of continued smoking after diagnosis.TRIAL REGISTRATION: The study was registered at OSF ( https://osf.io/3c9km ) and published as a study protocol at " https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/4/e069570 ".

KW - Humans

KW - Smoking Cessation/psychology

KW - Male

KW - Female

KW - Neoplasms/psychology

KW - Middle Aged

KW - Cross-Sectional Studies

KW - Germany/epidemiology

KW - Aged

KW - Motivation

KW - Intention

KW - Surveys and Questionnaires

KW - Smoking/psychology

KW - Adult

KW - Quality of Life

U2 - 10.1186/s12885-024-12380-w

DO - 10.1186/s12885-024-12380-w

M3 - SCORING: Journal article

C2 - 38844877

VL - 24

SP - 693

JO - BMC CANCER

JF - BMC CANCER

SN - 1471-2407

IS - 1

ER -