Presentation description

Smoking is involved in the development of at least 14 cancer types. Continued smoking after a cancer diagnosis has been associated with multiple negative health consequences, regardless of the cancer type. For example, continued smoking after cancer is associated with a higher risk of cancer recurrence, development of a second primary cancer, lower efficacy of cancer treatments and lower survival. Therefore, it is key that patients quit smoking after their diagnosis, regardless of the cancer type. However, about one-third of cancer patients continued to smoke after their diagnosis. Previous studies have shown that patients with a widely known smoking related cancer (e.g., lung, head and neck) are more likely to quit smoking than patients with cancers that are not typically associated with smoking (e.g., melanoma). Patients with a cancer that is not obviously caused by smoking, may not understand the risks smoking can have for their cancer treatment and prognosis. The aim of this study was to compare the use of smoking cessation products and the knowledge of risk of continued smoking among patients with a smoking related cancer (i.e., bladder and colorectal) vs. those with a non-smoking related cancer (i.e., melanoma, breast, and gynecological). Results from this study will help to elucidate what are important intervention targets for patients with a wide spectrum of cancer types.