Smoking Cessation Among Cancer Patients in Central and Eastern Europe: Call for Action

Background: Despite the fact that smoking has been linked not only to the development of cancer, but also to prognosis upon diagnosis and risk of death during treatment, many cancer patients continue to smoke. Quitting smoking can be beneficial also after cancer diagnosis, regardless of stage and prognosis. Those benefits are: improved survival outcomes, reduced risk of recurrence and second primary formation, increase treatment response to chemo and radiotherapy, reduced treatment-related complications, better self-reported quality of life related to disease and treatment than among smokers and less pain. The evidence is strong enough to incorporate tobacco dependence treatment into routine cancer care, but in majority of countries in central and eastern Europe (CEE) there are no actions taken to help cancer patients to quit smoking. Aim: To identify main barriers in providing smoking cessation to cancer patients in central and eastern Europe. Methods: Data were collected from participants of Workshop on...