ASPO Abstracts
Responsive Engagement and Cessation in Cancer Health (REACCH): Preliminary Results of a Nurse Navigator Led Tobacco Cessation Program
Category: Survivorship & Health Outcomes/Comparative Effectiveness Research
Conference Year: 2020
Abstract Body:
Purpose of the study: To present the preliminary findings of an oncology nurse navigator led tobacco cessation
program implemented as part of the National Cancer Institute’s Comprehensive Cancer Center Initiative.
Methods: In January 2019, after gathering stakeholder requirements through environmental scans, focus groups
and interviews, the Responsive Engagement and Cessation in Cancer Health (REACCH) program launched at the
University of Arizona Cancer Center (UACC). All new patients at the UACC meet with an oncology nurse navigator
and undergo assessment of tobacco use. Patients reporting tobacco use are referred to the REACCH program
tobacco treatment specialist (TTS) as part of their cancer treatment. The TTS meets with patients (in-person or by
phone) and designs an individualized tobacco cessation program which may include nicotine replacement therapy
(NRT), counseling sessions, text messaging and/or cessation applications. Patients are enrolled for up to 90 days
quit and may re-enroll anytime. Follow-up data on tobacco use are collected by telephone at 6 months.
Results: Since program launch, 212 referrals have been made to REACCH with 98.5% of all new patients
screened for tobacco use. Over 89% of referrals were received from the oncology nurse navigator team with the
majority of referrals from hepatobiliary, thoracic, hematology oncology, head and neck clinics, respectively. The
mean age of patients is 59.8 (23-83) years, 60% are male and 95% are non-Hispanic whites. Of the 212 referrals,
78% (n=166) received some form of tobacco cessation treatment; 25% receiving NRT and more than 60%
engaging in at least one counseling session and 33% receiving 2 or more counseling sessions.
Conclusions: With the oncology nurse navigator team, all patients are assessed for tobacco use and referred to
the REACCH program as part of their cancer treatment. This model may be useful for implementation of a tobacco
cessation program at other cancer centers.
Keywords: tobacco use, tobacco cessation, cancer, oncology nurse navigators