A new study from Washington University School of Medicine shows that quitting smoking after a cancer diagnosis can extend life expectancy by nearly a year, even in advanced cases. Researchers urge medical centers to incorporate smoking cessation support into cancer treatment plans.
Cancer patients who quit smoking upon diagnosis can extend their lives by an average of 330 days, no matter the type or stage of cancer, according to new research from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis.
Led by Li-Shiun Chen, a professor of psychiatry at WashU Medicine, the study debunks the common myth that quitting smoking has limited value for those already diagnosed, particularly those with advanced cancer.
“By showing that it’s never too late, even for the sickest patients, we hope to inspire all cancer centers and patients to include smoking cessation support as part of routine cancer care to improve survival,” Chen said in a news release.
Conducted at Siteman Cancer Center, the research followed over 13,000 adult outpatients across six months. Out of 1,725 patients who smoked at their initial visit, about 20% quit within the following six months. The two-year survival rate for those who quit was notably higher at 85%, compared to 74% for those who continued smoking. This effect was most pronounced in patients with stage 3 or 4 cancers, nearly doubling their survival time.
“Advanced-stage cancer patients often feel hopeless,” added Steven Tohmasi, a resident in the Department of Surgery at WashU Medicine. “If they feel they have limited time, some doctors might not actively encourage patients to quit smoking or may prioritize patient comfort over cessation efforts. But when we’ve shown patients our data, it gives them hope and motivates them to want to quit. An extra year of life is a long time for patients who may have been told they only had months to live.”
The Siteman Cancer Center’s unique program integrates smoking cessation into cancer treatment plans, using electronic health records to identify smokers and offer on-site quitting support like counseling, apps, smoking-cessation groups and medications.
This model, hailed as the “fourth pillar” of cancer treatment alongside surgery, radiation and chemotherapy, has been extended to 14 clinics and is proving both cost-effective and efficient.
Supported by a $1.6 million grant from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Chen, along with colleagues Alex Ramsey, an associate professor of psychiatry at WashU Medicine, and Ross Brownson, the Steven H. and Susan U. Lipstein Distinguished Professor in WashU School of Public Health, have launched a trial to compare care models for quitting smoking among cancer survivors. This will span eight states with partners like the University of Pennsylvania and Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
Previous studies had hinted at the survival benefits of quitting smoking but were often limited to specific cancer types or early-stage patients. This comprehensive research highlights the encompassing benefits of quitting for all patients, driving forward the importance of including smoking cessation as part of cancer care.