TOPLINE:
Initiating smoking cessation treatment within nine months of receiving a cancer diagnosis has been linked to enhanced survival across diverse cancer types. The most significant survival advantages were found in patients who commenced this treatment within six months post-diagnosis.
METHODOLOGY:
- According to the 2020 Surgeon General’s report and recent studies, quitting smoking notably improves survival rates among individuals diagnosed with lung and head and neck cancers. However, these studies lacked extensive long-term data and insights into the ideal timing for starting smoking cessation following a cancer diagnosis.
- This analysis included a prospective cohort of 4,526 cancer patients who were smokers, with a median age of 55 years. Participants were recruited for the Tobacco Research and Treatment Program (TRTP) housed at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center in Houston, spanning the years 2006 to 2022.
- The smoking cessation program featured individualized, structured, and evidence-based interventions. Patients enrolled in the program via electronic medical records, self-referral, or clinician referral. Self-reported abstinence was defined as not smoking within the week preceding each assessment, evaluated at three, six, and nine months after the initial consultation.
- The primary focus of the study was patient survival, examining time-dependent survival outcomes classified by the interval between cancer diagnosis and intervention entry: within six months, from six months to five years, and beyond five years.
- The cohort experienced a median follow-up duration of 7.9 years, enabling a comprehensive understanding of long-term effects.
TAKEAWAY:
- Survival rates exhibited notable improvement for patients who achieved smoking cessation at three (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR], 0.75), six (aHR, 0.79), and nine months (aHR, 0.85) after diagnosis.
- Patients engaging in the tobacco cessation program within six months of their cancer diagnosis realized a remarkable survival benefit, totaling an additional 1.8 years of life (2.1 years for nonabstainers versus 3.9 years for abstainers). Five-year survival rates for abstainers and nonabstainers were 71% and 61%, respectively, while ten-year rates were 58% for abstainers and 52% for nonabstainers.
- Notably, achieving abstinence at three months significantly enhanced five-year (65% abstainers vs. 61% nonabstainers) and ten-year (77% vs. 73%) survival rates.
- Among patients who joined the program between six months and five years post-diagnosis, similar yet less pronounced improvements in survival were evident, with 10-year survival rates recorded at 59% for abstainers compared to 67% for nonabstainers (P = .004).
- Smoking cessation consistently demonstrated an association with enhanced survival regardless of the timing of entry into the program. Abstinence achieved at three, six, and nine months reduced mortality rates across all cancer types by 26%, 22%, and 16%, respectively.
IN PRACTICE:
“This cohort study provided clear evidence that quitting smoking at or following a cancer diagnosis improves survival across various types of cancer. The largest benefit was noted among patients who entered the TRTP within 6 months of diagnosis,” the authors wrote. “Early entry into tobacco treatment is associated with the best survival outcomes and justifies the need to prioritize tobacco cessation as a core element of first-line cancer care.”
SOURCE:
The study, led by Paul M. Cinciripini, PhD, from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, was published online in JAMA Oncology.
Smoking and Cancer: The Impact of Quitting in Time
TOPLINE:
Well folks, it turns out that kicking the cancer-stick habit after a cancer diagnosis could keep you alive longer. Who would have thought!? According to a recent study, starting smoking cessation treatment within 9 months gives you a better shot at survival. But, there’s a kicker—if you can just manage to quit in the first 6 months, you’re apparently golden! That’s the clock kicking in right after the diagnosis, not at the pub the night before.
METHODOLOGY:
- Ah, the 2020 Surgeon General’s report and some fancy new evidence have affirmed what we’ve known all along: quitting smoking is less bad than continuing to smoke, especially for those poor souls fighting lung and head and neck cancers. However, previous studies were as useful as a chocolate teapot when it came to clocking in long-term data and figuring out the perfect time to throw in the towel after a cancer diagnosis.
- So, a team of bright minds set about examining 4,526 patients aged 55 on average who participated in the Tobacco Research and Treatment Program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center from 2006 to 2022. They clearly had too much spare time on their hands!
- The smoking cessation program was like a personalized pep talk mixed with structured interventions. Enrolled through electronic medical records and good old-fashioned referrals, these patients were self-reporting their abstinence at 3, 6, and 9 months. Because if you can’t trust an ex-smoker, who can you trust?
- The ultimate goal? Surviving, of course! The researchers wanted to see how the timing of quitting could impact survival stratified by intervals: within 6 months, 6 months to 5 years, and over 5 years. Spoiler alert: quitting sooner is better!
- The average of follow-up duration? An impressive 7.9 years. Long enough to get your affairs in order and start making ‘I survived cancer’ t-shirts.
TAKEAWAY:
- Here’s the crux of it: over 15 years, survival rates hit the roof for those who managed to quit smoking. Those who kicked the habit at 3 months had a survival boost (adjusted hazard ratio [aHR] = 0.75), those quitting at 6 months got an aHR of 0.79, and even at 9 months, the odds improved (aHR = 0.85). Imagine a game show where smoking is eliminated instead of contestants!
- Entering the tobacco cessation program within 6 months bestowed the greatest gift of an extra 1.8 years of life. Yes, you heard it right—rich abstainers could expect 3.9 years compared to 2.1 years for their non-abstaining counterparts. Proof that smoking with a side of cancer is not only bad for your wallet but also your life expectancy!
- If you thought quitting was hard, hang on tight: abstaining at 3 months translated into significant survival leaps at the 5-year mark (65% for abstainers vs. 61% for non-abstainers) and at 10 years (77% vs. 73%). Talk about incentive to ditch that lighter!
- The bad news? If you couldn’t quit until between 6 months and 5 years after diagnosis, you still had better odds (6.0 years for abstainers vs. 4.8 years for non-abstainers) but not quite as peachy as those who quit sooner.
- In short, smoking cessation, any way you slice it, was linked to improved odds of survival. Think of it as living an episode of “Survivor” but one where instead of being voted off, you’re actually voted into better health. A win-win!
IN PRACTICE:
“This cohort study provided clear evidence that quitting smoking at or following a cancer diagnosis improves survival across various types of cancer,” the researchers noted. They went on to mention that early entry into tobacco treatment leads to the best chances for survival, which begs the question: Why isn’t tobacco cessation as integral to cancer care as a good cup of tea to the British? Time to rethink that waiting list, folks!
SOURCE:
The study, led by Paul M. Cinciripini, PhD, from the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, was published online in JAMA Oncology.
LIMITATIONS:
Now hold on. This study isn’t without its flaws (though it’s harder to find them than my car keys on a Saturday night!). We all know self-reported data can sometimes be sketchy, and those who successfully quit are likely more likely to be in programs than those who just can’t shake it off.
DISCLOSURES:
Let’s face it—everyone’s got a vested interest, and studies like this are no exception. Questions might linger around, but hey, if it leads us to live longer, perhaps we’ll manage to figure it out.
What impact does quitting smoking within the first six months of a cancer diagnosis have on survival rates?
**Interview with Dr. Paul M. Cinciripini on Smoking Cessation and Cancer Survival Rates**
**Interviewer:** Good morning, Dr. Cinciripini. Thank you for joining us today. Your recent study on smoking cessation and cancer survival rates has sparked a lot of interest. Can you summarize the key findings for our audience?
**Dr. Cinciripini:** Good morning, and thank you for having me. Our study found that initiating smoking cessation treatment within nine months of a cancer diagnosis significantly enhances survival rates across various cancer types. However, the most pronounced benefits were observed for patients who were able to quit within the first six months post-diagnosis.
**Interviewer:** That’s fascinating! What evidence did you use to reach these conclusions?
**Dr. Cinciripini:** We analyzed data from a prospective cohort of 4,526 cancer patients who were smokers. They participated in the Tobacco Research and Treatment Program at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between 2006 and 2022. Our study utilized structured, evidence-based interventions while tracking patients’ smoking status at three, six, and nine months after entering the program.
**Interviewer:** Interesting approach! What were some of the survival statistics you observed?
**Dr. Cinciripini:** Well, our findings were quite striking. Patients who achieved smoking cessation at three, six, and nine months demonstrated a remarkable improvement in survival rates. For example, patients who quit within six months of diagnosis gained an estimated additional 1.8 years of life. The five-year survival rates for those who abstained were 71%, compared to 61% for those who continued to smoke.
**Interviewer:** Those numbers are significant. Why do you think the timing of quitting smoking is so crucial?
**Dr. Cinciripini:** The timing is essential because quitting smoking reduces the negative effects of tobacco on cancer progression and treatment efficacy. Our study demonstrates that the earlier patients engage in smoking cessation programs, the better their survival outcomes. This emphasizes the need for healthcare providers to prioritize tobacco cessation as a fundamental component of cancer care.
**Interviewer:** That leads to the next question—what should patients do if they’ve been recently diagnosed with cancer and are struggling to quit smoking?
**Dr. Cinciripini:** First, I encourage them to seek support. Engaging in tailored smoking cessation programs can greatly improve their chances of quitting. Additionally, healthcare providers should discuss these options with their patients right after their diagnosis. The sooner they can begin their journey toward cessation, the better their outcomes are likely to be.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Cinciripini, for sharing your insights. This information could be incredibly beneficial for many cancer patients.
**Dr. Cinciripini:** Thank you for having me! I hope our findings help improve the survival rates and quality of life for cancer patients who smoke.
