A smoking cessation program as a resource for bladder cancer patients.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Continued tobacco use following a bladder cancer (CaB) diagnosis puts patients at risk for other tobacco-associated diseases and has also been associated with heightened risks of treatment-related complications, tumour recurrence, morbidity and mortality. Our aim was to determine if patients with CaB who continue to smoke warrant a smoking cessation program as a resource for improving their prognosis and long-term health.

METHODS:

A cross-sectional quantitative questionnaire-based study was performed between January and April 2009. We surveyed patients with a pathologically confirmed diagnosis of CaB during their cystoscopy appointments at a single cancer centre.

RESULTS:

One hundred patients completed the survey with 72% of them admitting to smoking in their lifetime. A third of respondents smoked at the time of their diagnosis; 76% of patients who had been active smokers at the time of their diagnosis (n = 33) reported smoking at some point thereafter and 58% continued to smoke. Among continued smokers, they were classified in the following categories: 26% were in "precontemplation," 5% in "contemplation," 16% in "preparation," and 53% in "action;" 37% of patients who continued to smoke were interested in a hospital-based smoking cessation program. Overall, 70% reported smoking as a risk factor for a poor CaB prognosis. The two most common barriers to quitting were "trouble managing stress and mood" and "fear of gaining weight."

CONCLUSION:

Based on the data from our centre, patients with CaB who continue to smoke after their diagnosis warrant a smoking cessation program as a resource for improving prognosis and long-term health. Further research should focus on establishing an efficacious and cost-effective program that provides these patients with the resources they need to quit smoking.

• Authors: Daniel Vilensky, Nathan Lawrentschuk, Karen Hersey, Neil E Fleshner
• Journal: Canadian Urological Association journal = Journal de l'Association des urologues du Canada (Can Urol Assoc J) Vol. 6 Issue 5 Pg. E167-73 (Oct 2012) ISSN: 1920-1214 [Electronic] Canada
• PMID: 21539769 (Publication Type: Journal Article)