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Preventing smoking relapse in patients with cancer: A randomized controlled trial
Author(s) -
Simmons Vani N.,
Sutton Steven K.,
Meltzer Lauren R.,
Martinez Ursula,
Palmer Amanda M.,
Meade Cathy D.,
Jacobsen Paul B.,
McCaffrey Judith C.,
Haura Eric B.,
Brandon Thomas H.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.33162
Subject(s) - medicine , abstinence , randomized controlled trial , smoking cessation , population , relapse prevention , intervention (counseling) , cancer , adverse effect , physical therapy , psychiatry , environmental health , pathology
Background Abstaining from smoking after a cancer diagnosis is critical to mitigating the risk of multiple adverse health outcomes. Although many patients with cancer attempt to quit smoking, the majority relapse. The current randomized controlled trial evaluated the efficacy of adapting an evidence‐based smoking relapse prevention (SRP) intervention for patients with cancer. Methods The trial enrolled 412 patients newly diagnosed with cancer who had recently quit smoking. Participants were randomized to usual care (UC) or SRP. Participants in the UC group received the institution's standard of care for treating tobacco use. Participants in the SRP group in addition received a targeted educational DVD plus a validated self‐help intervention for preventing smoking relapse. The primary outcome was smoking abstinence at 2 months, 6 months, and 12 months. Results Abstinence rates for participants in the SRP and UC groups were 75% versus 71% at 2 months and 69% versus 64% at 6 months ( P s > .20). At 12 months, abstinence rates among survivors were 68% for those in the SRP group and 63% for those in the UC group ( P = .38). Post hoc analyses revealed that across 2 months and 6 months, patients who were married/partnered were more likely to be abstinent after SRP than UC ( P = .03). Conclusions A smoking relapse prevention intervention did not reduce relapse rates overall, but did appear to have benefited those participants who had the social support of a partner. Future work is needed to extend this effect to the larger population of patients.