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Investigating the Smoking Cessation Informational Needs of Cancer Patients and Informal Caregivers

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Abstract

Continued smoking at the time of a cancer diagnosis can severely impact the efficacy of cancer patient treatment and survival. The time of diagnosis can serve as a “teachable moment” for smoking cessation education, since patients may be receptive to discussions about quitting. Caregivers may have a pivotal role in supporting patients with their cessation efforts. The purpose of this study was to identify the smoking cessation informational needs of cancer patients and their caregivers. A needs assessment survey was administered to both patients and caregivers that assessed information needs across five domains: (1) General Information and Support; (2) Smoking, Health and Disease; (3) Relationships; (4) Testimonials; (5) Interventions. Mean importance scores were determined based on the proportion of respondents who ranked how important individual items were within the broader domains. Forty patients and twenty-two caregivers completed the survey. Among patients, the mean age was 61 years, with 35% diagnosed with a head and neck malignancy and 62% reporting as current smokers. Among caregivers, the mean age was 58 years, with 81% reporting to be the patient’s immediate family member and 50% as current smokers. The General Information and Support domain was rated as the most important domain for both cancer patients and caregivers. The top preferred modality for receiving smoking cessation education across all domains was pamphlets for both groups. This study identifies the key informational elements that should be considered in the development of smoking cessation resources to meet the informational needs of cancer patients and caregivers.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Victoria Milne and Leah Branch for their contributions to this study. We would also like to acknowledge Christine Massey for her assistance with statistical analysis.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Education Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, 585 University Ave, Munk Building B-PMB 130, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada

    Meredith Giuliani, Janette Brual, Tina Papadakos, Eleni Giannopoulos & Janet Papadakos

  2. Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Room 5-978A, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 2M9, Canada

    Meredith Giuliani

  3. Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5T 1P5, Canada

    Meredith Giuliani

  4. Division of Medical Oncology and Hematology, Princess Margaret Hospital, University of Toronto, 610 University Avenue, Toronto, ON, M5G 2M9, Canada

    Lawson Eng & Geoffrey Liu

  5. Patient Education, Cancer Care Ontario, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A1, Canada

    Tina Papadakos & Janet Papadakos

  6. Institute of Health Policy, Management & Evaluation, University of Toronto, 4th Floor, 155 College St, Toronto, ON, M5T 3M6, Canada

    Janet Papadakos

Authors
  1. Meredith Giuliani
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  2. Janette Brual
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  3. Lawson Eng
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  4. Geoffrey Liu
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  5. Tina Papadakos
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  6. Eleni Giannopoulos
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  7. Janet Papadakos
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Correspondence to Meredith Giuliani.

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Meredith Giuliani and Janette Brual are co-first authors

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Giuliani, M., Brual, J., Eng, L. et al. Investigating the Smoking Cessation Informational Needs of Cancer Patients and Informal Caregivers. J Canc Educ 35, 954–964 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-019-01547-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-019-01547-w

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