Cancer and Tobacco Abuse Clinical Trial
Official title:
A Feasibility Study of Smoking Cessation Program in Radiation Oncology
To test the feasibility of an intensive behavioral and pharmacologic tobacco cessation program for radiation oncology patients and their families/companions.
There is overwhelming evidence to support tobacco use as the number one cause of preventable
cancer and cardiovascular death. Smoking is responsible for at least 30% of all cancer
deaths and nearly 90% of lung cancer deaths. There is robust phase III randomized data to
show improved smoking cessation with both behavioral strategies as well as pharmacologic
interventions such as bupropion.
Despite significant evidence showing survival, toxicity and quality of life detriments in
cancer patients who continue smoking after diagnosis, roughly one third of cancer patients
continue to use tobacco. There is a relative paucity of data regarding smoking cessation
programs in cancer patient populations. Several single institution, as well as cooperative
group (ECOG), efforts have been published with varying results. However, to date, there are
no published reports on the success of pharmacologic smoking cessation interventions in
cancer patients.
Patients undergoing definitive/curative radiotherapy often receive daily treatment over the
course of three to eight weeks. They are often accompanied and supported daily by family
members or companions, many of whom smoke. This represents a huge exposure to the health
care system and a unique opportunity for intensive intervention in both cancer patients and
their families/companions during their "daily routine" of radiotherapy. To date, there is no
published report on intensive tobacco cessation intervention concurrent with radiotherapy in
cancer patients and their families or companions.
We propose a feasibility study of an intensive tobacco cessation program to be delivered to
radiation oncology patients and/or their family/companions concurrent with planned
radiotherapy. This program will feature an intensive behavioral intervention as well as the
pharmacologic agent bupropion.
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Allocation: Non-Randomized, Endpoint Classification: Safety/Efficacy Study, Intervention Model: Single Group Assignment, Masking: Open Label