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Willingness of cancer patients to help family members to quit smoking
Author(s) -
Garces Yolanda I.,
Patten Christi A.,
Sinicrope Pamela S.,
Decker Paul A.,
Offord Kenneth P.,
Brown Paul D.,
Clark Matthew M.,
Rummans Teresa A.,
Foote Robert L.,
Hurt Richard D.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.1768
Subject(s) - smoking cessation , psychosocial , family member , medicine , social support , family medicine , cancer , psychology , psychiatry , clinical psychology , social psychology , pathology
Objectives: The impact of social support on successful smoking cessation has been well documented. However, little is known about whether personal experience with cancer may motivate cancer survivors to support smoking cessation among their family members and friends. As a first step in this line of research, we sought to explore interest in playing a supportive role for smoking cessation as well as correlates of such interest among cancer survivors. Methods: Cancer survivors undergoing radiation therapy ( N =211) completed a 77‐item pencil–paper questionnaire. A section of the survey assessed interest in helping a smoker quit and characteristics of the smoking social network member. Respondents provided information on their smoking status, medical status, and psychosocial and behavioral factors related to cigarette smoking. Results: Over half of the respondents 114 (54%) reported having someone close to them (family member or friend) smoking cigarettes who they thought should quit. Of these respondents (44 females, 70 males) 78% (89/114) reported they were definitely or probably interested in helping a smoker quit. Nearly all respondents wanted to help a family member (typically an adult child). Conclusions: Results suggest the potential feasibility of engaging cancer survivors to help family members quit smoking. Research is needed to determine the optimal methods and timing for engaging the cancer patient to maximize positive effects and minimize potential harms. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.