Journal of Clinical Oncology, Vol 15, 2194-2204, Copyright © 1997 by American Society of Clinical Oncology
Tobacco use among pediatric cancer patients: recommendations for developing clinical smoking interventions
VL Tyc, MM Hudson, P Hinds, V Elliott and MY Kibby
Department of Hematology-Oncology, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, The University of Memphis, TN 38105-2794, USA.
PURPOSE AND METHODS: The current status of tobacco use among young cancer
patients and the acute and chronic complications associated with tobacco
use in these patients is reviewed. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Studies report
that adolescent cancer survivors use tobacco as much as their peers who
have never been treated for cancer, despite the adverse consequences of
engaging in this unhealthy habit. Health care professionals have the
opportunity and responsibility to incorporate tobacco counseling as a
routine component of medical care delivery. Nurse/physician-delivered
smoking interventions have been found to promote smoking cessation in
adults, although little effort has been devoted to the development of
similarly effective smoking interventions for pediatric cancer patients who
smoke. Components of existing smoking prevention/cessation curricula from
successful school-based interventions and physician-delivered smoking
interventions can be adapted and tailored to pediatric cancer patients in
medical settings. Smoking interventions that educate patients about their
increased vulnerability to tobacco-related consequences, relative to their
healthy peers, may have an enhanced impact. Guidelines for conducting a
comprehensive assessment of tobacco use and implementing smoking
interventions with pediatric cancer patients is provided. Strategies for
modifying the cancer patient's perceived vulnerability to tobacco- related
consequences is also discussed.
