A new study from the MD Anderson Cancer Center reveals that quitting smoking within six months of a cancer diagnosis can significantly improve survival outcomes for cancer patients. The research, published in JAMA Oncology, highlights the critical impact of early tobacco cessation on extending patients’ lives, especially those undergoing cancer treatment.
The study followed 4,526 patients who were active smokers when diagnosed with cancer and subsequently enrolled in the MD Anderson Tobacco Research and Treatment Program (TRTP). The program offers a structured, evidence-based approach to smoking cessation, which includes both counseling and pharmacotherapy. The researchers tracked patients’ progress at three, six, and nine months after starting the cessation program. Notably, more than 95% of visits were provided via telemedicine.
The researchers, led by Dr. Paul M. Cinciripini, PhD, noted that the timing of smoking cessation is crucial. Patients who stopped smoking within three months of starting the program saw the most dramatic improvements in survival. These patients lived an average of 1.8 years longer than those who continued to smoke. Survival rates also improved for those who quit smoking within six months, although the benefit was slightly reduced for patients who delayed quitting beyond that point.
The study’s results underscore the importance of early intervention. Patients who received tobacco cessation treatment within six months of diagnosis saw their survival rates improve from an average of 2.1 years for non-quitters to 3.9 years for those who quit smoking. The impact, while positive, was less pronounced when patients waited more than six months to five years after diagnosis to quit smoking, and minimal if they started treatment more than five years later.
The findings advocate for integrating smoking cessation programs into routine cancer care, especially immediately following a diagnosis. Cancer treatment centers like MD Anderson are urged to prioritise tobacco cessation as a key component of cancer care to maximise patient outcomes.
This large-scale study is among the first to analyse how the timing of smoking cessation impacts long-term survival across various cancer types. The researchers hope their work will encourage healthcare providers and cancer centers to make smoking cessation a standard part of cancer treatment.
Paper: Cinciripini, P.M., et al. Survival Outcomes of an Early Intervention Smoking Cessation Treatment After a Cancer Diagnosis. JAMA Oncology. October 31, 2024. Access online here.
