ASPO Abstracts
Reach and Effectiveness of Tobacco Dependence Treatment Programs Implemented in the NCI Cancer Center Cessation Initiative
Category: Survivorship & Health Outcomes/Comparative Effectiveness Research
Conference Year: 2023
Abstract Body:
Purpose: Tobacco cessation among cancer patients results in improved health outcomes, yet cessation services are not consistently offered in oncology settings. We report on the reach and effectiveness of the tobacco dependence treatment programs (TTP) implemented in NCI-Designated Cancer Centers as part of the Cancer Moonshot-funded program, the Cancer Center Cessation Initiative (C3I). Methods: 33 cancer centers reported screening of patient tobacco use and smoking prevalence from July-December 2021. Reach (percent of patients who smoke receiving cessation services) was reported overall and by type of services delivered. Seven-day prevalence smoking abstinence at 6-months post-engagement was measured among program participants at 26 centers. Results: From July-December 2021, C3I cancer centers reported seeing 884,592 patients, 739,770 of whom were screened for tobacco use, and 62,108 patients reported current tobacco use. A total of 9,161 and an average of 18% of patients with documented smoking status were reached and enrolled in a TTP (range 0-82%, median 17%). On average, 41% of patients offered a TTP were enrolled in telehealth services, 35% were provided medical treatment, 19% were enrolled in in-person services, and 13% in web-based services. Among patients enrolled in cessation services for 6 months, 15% on average reported 7-day abstinence from tobacco (range 0-67%, median 11%), which is consistent with effectiveness across other clinical trials. Conclusions: Patients at C3I centers with cancer who smoke were reached most often with remote-based programs and medical treatment; a smaller percentage of patients were connected to in-person services, which was also the case at C3I centers in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic. Implementing population-based tobacco treatment programs in oncology settings can reach large numbers of cancer patients who smoke and may lead to improved cessation and treatment outcomes.
Keywords: Tobacco Dependence Treatment Programs; Implementation Science; Cancer Survivors