A recent study found that smoking cessation services (SCS) offered at the time of lung cancer screening had a high acceptance rate by current smokers.

William Evans, M.D., FRCPC, professor emeritus, McMaster University Department of Oncology, and clinical advisor, Smoking Cessation, Cancer Care Ontario, presented these findings today at the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer’s (IASLC’s) 19th World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC) in Toronto, Canada.

The study, conducted by Cancer Care Ontario, offered SCS to current smokers who visited any of the three program pilot sites in Ontario.

Patients who were eligible for lung cancer screening were scheduled for smoking cessation counseling during their baseline low-dose computed tomography (CT) appointment using an opt-out approach.

Hospital-based SCS were provided by trained counselors and consisted of behavioral counseling, a recommendation or prescription for pharmacotherapy and arrangements for proactive follow up.

Of 1,241 individuals assessed for eligibility, 808 were eligible for screening and 63 percent were identified as current smokers.

Of total current smokers, regardless of screen-eligibility, 83 percent accepted a referral to SCS.

Of screen-eligible current smokers, 89 percent accepted hospital-based cessation counseling, and 88 percent of those who had a baseline low-dose CT in the reporting period attended a hospital-based counselling session.

93 percent of survey respondents reported being satisfied with the smoking cessation counselling they received.

“It is important to seize the opportunity to discuss smoking cessation with those attending a screening program,” said Dr. Evans. “The motivation of the individuals coming in for screening, combined with the approaches taken by the nurse navigator, has made the program successful. By taking an empathetic approach, we’ve been able to help current smokers get the resources they need to help with their addiction to nicotine.”

Source: IASLC