Introduction
Tobacco use is associated with poor outcomes in cancer patients, but there is little information on the practice patterns or perceptions of tobacco use and smoking cessation by oncology providers.
Methods
An online survey of practices, perceptions, and barriers to tobacco assessment and cessation in cancer patients was conducted in members of the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC). Responses of physician level respondents were analyzed and reported.
Results
Responses from 1,507 IASLC members who completed the survey are reported representing 40.5% of IASLC members. Over 90% of physician respondents believe current smoking affects outcome and that cessation should be a standard part of clinical care. At the initial patient visit, 90% ask patients about tobacco use, 79% ask patients if they will quit, 81% advise patients to stop tobacco use, but only 40% discuss medication options, 39% actively provide cessation assistance, and fewer yet address tobacco at follow-up. Dominant barriers to physician cessation effort are pessimism regarding their ability to help patients stop using tobacco (58%) and concerns about patient resistance to treatment (67%). Only 33% report themselves adequately trained to provide cessation interventions.
Discussion
Physicians who care for lung cancer patients recognize the importance of tobacco cessation as a necessary part of clinical care, but many still do not routinely provide assistance to their patients. Increasing tobacco cessation will require increased assessment and cessation at diagnosis and during follow-up, increased clinician education, and improved tobacco cessation methods.