Tobacco Use, Knowledge of Harms, and Treatment Support Among Patients With Non-Tobacco-Related Cancers - A Multi-Center Survey Study

Sep 22, 2026

Upload by Cipher

Purpose: Tobacco smoking harms cancer outcomes, yet cessation treatment for patients with non-tobacco-related cancers (non-TRCs) is less studied. Methods: Cross-sectional surveys were conducted with 124 adults who smoked in the prior 30 days and were diagnosed with non-TRCs at two medical centers between 2018 and 2022. Results: Although 88% recognized reduced life expectancy, fewer identified harms for recurrence, treatment efficacy, or side effects; only 33% received prescription medication, 22% counseling, and 42% reported follow-up support. Conclusion: Large gaps exist in cancer-specific harm awareness and inconsistent evidence-based cessation support, requiring targeted education and systematic integration of tobacco treatment into oncology care.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Purpose

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

Cancer Medicine RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS Tobacco Use, Knowledge of Harms, and Treatment Support Among Patients With Non-Tobacco-Related Cancers: A Multi-Center Survey Study Raul Gregg-Garcia1 | Vidya Dandu1 | Laura B. Vater1,2 | Karen Suchanek Hudmon2,3 | Deborah Buckles2 | Nasser Hanna1,2 1Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA | 2Division of Hematology Oncology, Department of Medicine, Indiana University Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA | 3Department of Pharmacy Practice, Purdue University College of Pharmacy, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA Correspondence: Raul Gregg-Garcia ([rgreggg@iu.edu](rgreggg@iu.edu)) Received: 15 October 2025 | Revised: 6 May 2026 | Accepted: 11 May 2026 Keywords: cancer outcomes | oncology care | patient perceptions | smoking cessation | tobacco treatment support | tobacco use ABSTRACT Purpose: Tobacco smoking adversely affects cancer outcomes; yet tobacco treatment for patients with non-tobacco-related cancers (non-TRCs) remains understudied. This study evaluated smoking behaviors, harm perceptions, and cessation support in this population. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional survey of 124 adults who reported smoking within the past 30 days and were diagnosed with non-TRCs at two medical centers between 2018 and 2022. Data collected included demographics, smoking behaviors, harm perceptions, quit attempts, and receipt of cessation support from oncology providers. Results: Most participants (88%) recognized that continued smoking may shorten life expectancy; however, fewer recognized its impact on cancer recurrence (44%), treatment efficacy (46%), and treatment-related side effects (46%) . Although 81% reported prior quit attempts, only 33% received prescription medication and 22% received counseling. Follow-up support from oncology teams was reported by 42% of participants. Conclusion: Patients with non-TRCs demonstrate substantial gaps in awareness of the cancer-specific harms of continued smoking and report inconsistent receipt of evidence-based cessation support. Targeted education and systematic integration of tobacco treatment into oncology care are needed to improve outcomes in this population. 1 | Introduction Tobacco smoking remains the leading preventable cause of morbidity and mortality in the United States and is responsible for approximately 20% of all cancers and 30% of cancer-related deaths, with estimates reaching up to 40% of cancer deaths in some regions [1–3] . Strong causal relationships exist between tobacco use and several malignancies, commonly referred to as tobacco-related cancers (TRCs), including lung, kidney, and bladder cancers [3, 4] . In contrast, other cancers, including breast, colorectal, and prostate cancers, are traditionally considered non-tobacco-related cancers (non-TRCs), although the relationship between smoking and these malignancies is more complex. For example, while current evidence does not support a causal association between smoking and prostate cancer incidence, smoking has been associated with more aggressive disease, higher risk of progression, and increased mortality among affected individuals [5, 6] . Regardless of cancer type, continued smoking after a cancer diagnosis is associated with worse clinical outcomes, including reduced efficacy and tolerance of treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy, increased treatment-related toxicity, higher likelihood of dose reductions and postoperative complications, This is an open access article under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs License, which permits use and distribution in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited, the use is non-commercial and no modifications or adaptations are made. © 2026 The Author(s). Cancer Medicine published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd. Cancer Medicine, 2026; 15:e71956 1 of 6 [https://doi.org/10.10

FAQs

What question did the study aim to address?

It assessed smoking behaviors, patients’ perceptions of smoking harms, and the receipt of cessation support among people with non-tobacco-related cancers.

How was the study conducted?

Researchers performed a cross-sectional survey of 124 adults who reported smoking within the past 30 days and were diagnosed with non-TRCs at two medical centers between 2018 and 2022.

What did participants report about cessation treatment support?

Most reported prior quit attempts, but far fewer received evidence-based treatments such as prescription medications or counseling, and follow-up support from oncology teams was reported by a minority.

Sep 22, 2026

Upload by Cipher