Trial Information

Helping Cancer Patients Quit Smoking by Improving Their Risk Communication: a Cluster Randomized Controlled Trial

Smoking causes many types of cancer in general. Past studies have shown that current smokers
have increased risk of cancer, and most lung cancers are attributable to smoking. Cancer
(malignant neoplasm) is the number one killer in Hong Kong, which leads to nearly one-third
of all deaths each year. Cancer patients who continue smoking would result in extra risks of
all cause mortality, cancer recurrence and second primary cancer as well as reducing
survival time (Chen et al., 2010). Smoking could also reduce the efficacy of clinical and
medical treatment of cancer including radio- and chemo-therapies (Benninger et al., 1994;
Browman et al., 1993) and increase the risk of treatment related side-effects (Rugg et al.,
1990).

Cancer patients may present an excellent "teachable moment" for smoking cessation
interventions, as their current illness could largely be due to smoking. However, few
smoking cessation programs target on this vulnerable group and only one-third of oncology
nurses would assist cancer patients quit smoking. Healthcare professionals have the
responsibility to assist this vulnerable group to quit smoking. Recent randomized controlled
trials (RCT) suggested behavioral intervention may help cancer patients quit smoking, but
they are limited by small sample size. No RCT study has ever been done in Hong Kong.

This study can make an important contribution to evidence-based practice by testing the
effectiveness of a tailored smoking cessation intervention targeting cancer patients. The
results primarily serve the purpose to support the development of clinical practice
guidelines and interventions to promote smoking cessation in cancer patients to improve
their cancer prognosis and, in the long-run, increase their survival time and quality of
life.