scholarly journals Patient Cessation Activity after Automatic Referral to a Dedicated Cessation Support Service

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-86
Author(s):  
Katharine A. Amato ◽  
Mary E. Reid ◽  
Maansi Bansal-Travers ◽  
Heather M. Ochs-Balcom ◽  
K. Michael Cummings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Support Service ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Tobacco Use Cessation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Opt Out ◽  
Quit Attempts ◽  
First Contact

Introduction: We characterised tobacco use, cessation patterns, and patient satisfaction with a cessation support program at an NCI Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center following a mandatory tobacco assessment and automatic referral.Methods: A 3-month follow-up survey (via web, paper, or telephone) was administered between March 2013 and November 2013 for all patients referred to and contacted by a cessation support service, and who consented to participation three months prior to administration. Patients were asked about their perceived importance and self-efficacy to quit smoking, quit attempts, and satisfaction with the cessation service.Results: Fifty-two percent (257/499) of patients who participated in the cessation support service, and consented to be contacted again, completed a follow-up survey. Of those who participated, 9.7% were referred to the service as having recently quit tobacco (in the past 30 days) and 23.6% reported having quit at the time of first contact. At the 3-month follow-up, 48.1% reported being smoke-free for the previous seven days. When patients were asked about their experience with the cessation service, 86.4% reported being very or mostly satisfied with the service, and 64.3% reported that their experience with the service increased their satisfaction with the care received at the cancer centre.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that recently diagnosed cancer patients are aware that quitting tobacco is important, are making attempts to quit, and are amenable to an opt-out automatic referral cessation support service as part of their cancer care.

Evaluation of a dedicated institutional tobacco cessation service for thoracic clinic cancer patients.

2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 1603-1603
Author(s):  
Katharine Ann Dobson Amato ◽  
Michael Zevon ◽  
Pat Hysert ◽  
Robert Hysert ◽  
Stephanie Segal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Tobacco Use ◽  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Participation Rate ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Therapeutic Outcomes ◽  
High Risk Cancer ◽  
First Contact

1603 Background: Tobacco use by cancer patients is associated with poor therapeutic outcomes including increased toxicity, decreased quality of life, and decreased survival. Though recommendations provide for tobacco assessment and cessation for cancer patients, few oncologists provide cessation support. Presented are data from universal tobacco assessment and cessation program for patients presenting at a thoracic oncology clinic in a NCI Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Methods: A standard set of evidence based tobacco assessment questions were incorporated into an automated electronic medical record based system delivered by nursing at initial consult and at follow-up. Patients eligible for tobacco cessation support (i.e. patients self-reporting tobacco use within 30 days) were automatically referred to a dedicated tobacco cessation service. All referred patients are sent a standardized packet of cessation materials with telephone-based follow-up by trained cessation counselors. Results: A total of 980 new thoracic clinic patients were referred to the cessation service from January 2011 and October 2012. Two-thirds of the patients referred (n=728) referred into the system were current smokers and the remainder had quit in the 30 days prior to assessment. Among the 788 patients with contact attempts by the cessation service, 81.2% (n=640) were successfully contacted and only 2.5% (n=20) refused the offer of cessation support. At first contact, 75.6% (n=484) of patients reported continued current tobacco use. Follow-up calls were placed for 53.1% (n=340) of those who participated in the first contact an average of 39 days after the first successful contact. The follow-up had a 93.2% (n=317) participation rate which revealed that 33.3% (n=106) reported not smoking, an 8.9% increase since the first cessation service telephone call. Conclusions: Data demonstrate that an automated tobacco assessment and cessation service for thoracic oncology patients can effectively generate a large mandatory referral base with high patient interest in cessation, and that cessation support can be implemented and maintained in high risk cancer patients.

scholarly journals Changes in fatigue, barriers, and predictors towards physical activity in advanced cancer patients over a period of 12 months—a comparative study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Frikkel ◽  
M. Beckmann ◽  
N. De Lazzari ◽  
M. Götte ◽  
S. Kasper ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Physical Functioning ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Psychological Conditions ◽  
Patient Reported

Abstract Purpose Physical activity (PA) is recommended to improve advanced cancer patients’ (ACP) physical functioning, fatigue, and quality of life. Yet, little is known about ACPs’ attitude towards PA and its influence on fatigue and depressiveness over a longer period. This prospective, non-interventional cohort study examined ACPs’ fatigue, depression, motivation, and barriers towards PA before and after 12 months of treatment among ACP Methods Outpatients with incurable cancer receiving treatment at a German Comprehensive Cancer Center reporting moderate/severe weakness/tiredness during self-assessment via MIDOS II were enrolled. Fatigue (FACT-F), depression (PHQ-8), cancer-related parameters, self-assessed PA behavior, motivation for and barriers against PA were evaluated (T0). Follow-up data was acquired after 12 months (T1) using the same questionnaire. Results At follow-up, fatigue (p=0.017) and depressiveness (p=0.015) had increased in clinical relevant extent. Physically active ACP did not show significant progress of FACT-F (p=0.836) or PHQ-8 (p=0.799). Patient-reported barriers towards PA remained stable. Logistic regression analyses identified motivation as a positive predictor for PA at both time points (T0, β=2.152, p=0.017; T1, β =2.264, p=0.009). Clinically relevant depression was a negative predictor for PA at T0 and T1 (T0, β=−3.187, p=0.044; T1, β=−3.521, p=0.041). Conclusion Our findings emphasize the importance of psychological conditions in physical activity behavior of ACP. Since psychological conditions seem to worsen over time, early integration of treatment is necessary. By combining therapy approaches of cognitive behavioral therapy and exercise in interdisciplinary care programs, the two treatment options might reinforce each other and sustainably improve ACPs’ fatigue, physical functioning, and QoL. Trial registration German Register of Clinical Trials, DRKS00012514, registration date: 30.05.2017

Tobacco use, knowledge of harms, and cessation support among patients with non-tobacco related cancers.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e24029-e24029
Author(s):  
Laura Vater ◽  
Anup Trikannad Ashwini Kumar ◽  
Neha Sehgal ◽  
Maria Khan ◽  
Kelsey Bullens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Prescribe Medication ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Quit Attempts

e24029 Background: Continued cigarette smoking among patients with cancer leads to numerous adverse health outcomes, even among patients with non-tobacco-related cancers such as breast, colon, and prostate cancer. Continued smoking is associated with poorer response to cancer treatment, increased risk for treatment-related toxicities, and shorter overall survival. While some patients with a smoking-related cancer make efforts to quit smoking at the time of diagnosis, patients with other forms of cancer might not understand the negative effects of continued smoking. In this study, we assessed patient knowledge of the harms of continued smoking, previous cessation attempts, and cessation support. Methods: We surveyed 102 adults with breast, colon, and prostate cancer at three locations: an NCI-designated cancer center, an urban safety-net medical center, and a rural cancer center. Patients were asked about current smoking behaviors, beliefs about the harms of continued smoking, quit attempts and resources used, and cessation support. We also surveyed seven oncologists to assess beliefs about harms of continued smoking, cessation support provided to patients, training and confidence in cessation counseling, and barriers to providing cessation support. Results: Most patients (82%) agreed or strongly agreed that continued smoking may shorten life expectancy, and 70% agreed or strongly agreed that continued smoking increased the risk of getting a different type of cancer. Only 41% of patients agreed or strongly agreed that continued smoking may cause more side effects from cancer treatment, and only 40% agreed or strongly agreed that ongoing smoking may affect treatment response. The majority of patients (86%) had tried to quit smoking for good, with an average 4.1 quit attempts per patient. Patients reported that physicians advised them to quit the majority of the time (92%), prescribed medication 33% of the time, and followed up on cessation attempts 43% of the time. Overall, oncologists had higher knowledge of the harms of continued smoking on treatment outcomes and survival. Those in practice for 20 years or more had higher confidence in cessation counseling than those in practice less than 4 years. Oncologists described lack of time and lack of confidence in cessation counseling as barriers to providing more cessation support. Conclusions: Among 102 patients with breast, colon, and prostate cancer who currently smoke, there was incomplete knowledge of the harms of continued smoking. Oncologists believe that tobacco cessation is important and frequently advise patients to quit, however they less frequently prescribe medication or follow up on cessation efforts. Interventions are needed to educate patients with cancer about the harms of continued smoking and to provide further cessation support.

Perceptions of barriers to patient financial hardship screening differ by provider role within gynecologic oncology outpatient care.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (28_suppl) ◽  
pp. 317-317
Author(s):  
Jhalak Dholakia ◽  
Maria Pisu ◽  
Warner King Huh ◽  
Margaret Irene Liang
Keyword(s):  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Gynecologic Oncology ◽  
Financial Hardship ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Patient Centered ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Care Plans ◽  
Patient Barriers

317 Background: Although approximately half of patients with gynecologic malignancy experience financial hardship (FH) during treatment, best practices to identify and assist patients with FH are lacking. To develop such practices, we assessed oncology provider and staff perspectives about FH screening and provision of assistance. Methods: An anonymous survey was conducted electronically within the Gynecologic Oncology outpatient office at a Comprehensive Cancer Center. Potential barriers to patient FH screening and follow-up were assessed within 2 domains: 1) logistic barriers to incorporating FH screening and follow-up into outpatient workflow and 2) perceived patient barriers to FH screening. Responses were elicited on a 5-point Likert scale from ‘very’ to ‘not at all’ significant and dichotomized into significant and not significant barriers. Results: Of 43 providers approached, 37 responded (86% response rate) of which 14 were physicians (MD)/nurse practitioners (NP) and 23 were other staff members (i.e., clinical and research nurses, social workers, pharmacists, care coordinators, lay navigators, and financial counselors). Altogether, 38% worked in their current position for >5 years (n=14), 11% for 3-5 years (n=4), and 51% for <3 years (n=19). For logistic barriers to implementing FH screening and follow-up, the most frequently reported significant barriers included lack of personnel training (69%) and lack of available staff (62%), training regarding follow-up (72%), and case tracking infrastructure (67%). The most frequent significant perceived patient barriers were lack of knowledge of whom to contact (72%), concerns about impact on treatment if FH needs were identified (72%), and lack of patient readiness to discuss financial needs (62%.) Compared to MD/NP, staff members more often indicated the following as significant barriers: difficulty incorporating FH screening into initial visit workflow (31 % vs. 57%, p=0.03), overstretched personnel (29% vs 73%, p=0.005), and patient concerns about influence on treatment (62% vs 86%, p=0.01). Conclusions: Care team members identified barriers to patient FH screening across logistic and patient-centered domains, although MD/NP less so than other staff possibly reflecting different exposures to patient financial needs during clinical encounters or burden of workflow. Implementation of universal FH screening, dedicated personnel, convenient tracking mechanisms, and multi-disciplinary provider and staff training may improve recognition of patient FH and facilitate its integration into oncology care plans.

scholarly journals Psychosocial and Behavioral Characteristics among Subgroups of Nondaily College Student Smokers

2014 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. TUI.S13440 ◽  
Author(s):  
Devan R. Romero ◽  
Kim Pulvers ◽  
Taneisha S. Scheuermann ◽  
Jasjit S. Ahluwalia
Keyword(s):  
Young Adults ◽  
College Student ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Public University ◽  
Behavioral Characteristics ◽  
The Past ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Quit Attempts ◽  
Different Characteristics ◽  
Nondaily Smoking

Nondaily smoking is becoming common in young adults and there appear to be different characteristics associated with past month smoking frequency among nondaily smokers. The present study examines behavioral and psychosocial correlates of smoking among subgroups of nondaily college student smokers ( N = 80; 18–25 years of age) attending a large, public university. Nondaily smokers were categorized based on the frequency of days smoked in the past month and were divided into two subgroups: 1–5 days and 6–29 days. A quarter of nondaily smokers considered themselves as a smoker and significantly more 6–29 nondaily smokers were identified as a smoker and smoked more cigarettes per day (CPD). Almost half (45%) of nondaily smokers have attempted to quit smoking completely and 71% of the 6–29 nondaily smokers reported significantly higher quit attempts. The 6–29 nondaily smokers had significantly higher perceived risk related to smoking. Self-efficacy to abstain from smoking was significantly higher for 1–5 nondaily smokers. These results suggest heterogeneity among subgroups of nondaily college student smokers exists in a number of behavioral and psychosocial factors. Prevention and cessation strategies may be improved by considering frequency of nondaily smoking and targeting subgroups differently.

scholarly journals Understanding the Association Between Spontaneous Quit Attempts and Improved Smoking Cessation Success Rates: A Population Survey in England With 6-Month Follow-up

2019 ◽  
Vol 22 (9) ◽  
pp. 1460-1467 ◽  
Author(s):  
Claire Garnett ◽  
Lion Shahab ◽  
Tobias Raupach ◽  
Robert West ◽  
Jamie Brown
Keyword(s):  
Regression Models ◽  
Population Survey ◽  
Adult Population ◽  
Success Rates ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
The Past ◽  
Quit Attempt ◽  
Quit Attempts ◽  
Adjusted Model

Abstract Introduction Almost half of smoking quit attempts are “spontaneous” (initiated as soon as the decision to quit has been made) and are associated with increased success rates. This study aimed to assess to what extent other factors may account for this association. Methods Data were used from respondents to a survey representative of the adult population in England from 2006 to 2016. We included 2018 respondents who were current smokers at baseline and had attempted to quit between baseline and 6-month follow-up. Logistic regression models assessed the association between quit success and spontaneous quit attempts while adjusting for smoking, sociodemographic, and quit attempt characteristics. Results Spontaneous quit attempts were associated with greater odds of quit success (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.07 to 1.60) but the association was not significant in the fully adjusted model (ORadj = 1.19, 95% CI = 0.95 to 1.49). In this adjusted model, those who attempted to quit without cutting down first (ORadj = 3.08, 95% CI = 2.46 to 3.88) and were male (ORadj = 1.44, 95% CI = 1.16 to 1.80) had greater odds of success; although a greater number of attempts in the past 6 months, stronger urges to smoke (strong vs. none), higher daily cigarette consumption, and lower social grade (E vs. AB) were associated with lower odds of success (ORadj range = 0.32–0.98, p &lt; .030). Quit attempts made without cutting down first were correlated with spontaneous quit attempts (r = .150, p &lt; .001) and appeared to account for the diminished association between spontaneous quitting and success (ORadj = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.96 to 1.46). Conclusions The increased success rate of spontaneous quit attempts appears to be because spontaneous quit attempts are more likely to be made without cutting down first. Implications The apparent benefit of spontaneous over planned quit attempts may be attributable to the former being more likely to involve quitting without cutting down first (ie, abrupt cessation) than cutting down first (ie, gradual cessation) and so this may be a more useful target for advice to improve the chances of successful quitting.

Soft tissue sarcoma of the vulva: A clinical study

2003 ◽  
Vol 13 (4) ◽  
pp. 528-531 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. C. Ulutin ◽  
R. C. Zellars ◽  
D. Frassica
Keyword(s):  
Epithelioid Sarcoma ◽  
Surgical Margins ◽  
External Beam Radiation ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Clinical Aspects ◽  
Beam Radiation ◽  
Inguinal Lymph Node Dissection ◽  
Mean Time

The purpose of this study is to report clinical aspects and treatment results of patients seen at Johns Hopkins. A search of the tumor registry of the Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center found 453 patients with malignancies of the vulva registered between 1977 and 1997. Patient and tumor characteristics, treatment methods, and follow-up were obtained from charts. Seven patients were identified with sarcoma of the vulva. Of these, one was removed from analysis due to histology. Three patients had leiomyosarcoma, two had fibrosarcoma, and one had epithelioid sarcoma. The mean age was 41. Mean time to diagnosis was 6 months. All but one of the tumors was located on the labia majora. Median tumor size was 3.5 cm. Surgery varied from wide local excision to radical vulvectomy with inguinal lymph node dissection. Surgical margins were microscopically negative in five of the six cases. Two patients had received adjuvant external beam radiation. One of them had a tumor greater than 5 cm and close surgical margins and the other had high-grade tumor, which recurred after previous surgery. Mean follow-up was 127.8 months. There have been no recurrences to date.

scholarly journals Cessation Attitudes and Preferences in Head and Neck Cancer Patients and Implications for Cessation Program Design: A Brief Report

2019 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
pp. 216495611984711
Author(s):  
Chandylen L Nightingale ◽  
Katherine R Sterba ◽  
Janet A Tooze ◽  
Jessica L King ◽  
Kathryn E Weaver
Keyword(s):  
Smoking Cessation ◽  
Head And Neck Cancer ◽  
Head And Neck ◽  
Neck Cancer ◽  
Smoking Status ◽  
Smoking History ◽  
Major Surgery ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
The Past ◽  
Quit Smoking

Introduction This brief report examined prior cessation attempts, attitudes toward nicotine replacement therapy (NRT), and interests in cessation interventions among head and neck cancer (HNC) patients with a recent smoking history (current smokers and recent quitters). Methods Forty-two HNC patients scheduled for major surgery who reported current or recent (quit <6 months) cigarette smoking participated. Participants completed a survey to assess smoking status, prior cessation attempts, attitudes toward NRT, and interest in and preferences for cessation interventions. Results Patients attempted to quit smoking on average 3.2 times in the past 12 months. Most patients (65.8%) reported that NRT products help people quit, with 42.5% reporting ever using cessation aids/services. Most patients (81.8%) reported interest in a smoking cessation program. Current smokers and recent quitters reported similar cessation attempts, attitudes toward NRT, and interest in smoking cessation interventions. Discussion Cancer center-based smoking cessation interventions are needed for current smokers and recent quitters maintaining cessation.

Use of diagnostic testing for patients with early-stage breast cancer in a multi-hospital quality collaborative in Michigan.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (34_suppl) ◽  
pp. 242-242
Author(s):  
Tara M. Breslin ◽  
James Kubus ◽  
Haythem Y. Ali ◽  
T. Trevor Singh ◽  
Paul T. Adams ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Diagnostic Imaging ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Diagnostic Testing ◽  
Early Stage Breast Cancer ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Positron Emission ◽  
Bone Scans

242 Background: In 2012, ASCO identified five opportunities to improve the quality of cancer care and reduce costs. Two of these recommendations focused on limiting use of advanced diagnostic imaging with computed tomography (CT), Positron Emission Tomography (PET), and radionuclide bone scans (BS) at diagnosis and during surveillance for women with early stage breast cancer with a low risk of metastasis. We describe the use of diagnostic imaging among patients with early stage breast cancer treated at hospitals in Michigan. Methods: The Michigan Breast Oncology Quality Initiative is a collaboration between Michigan hospitals, the University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN). This collaborative collects longitudinal demographic, staging, treatment, and follow up data using the NCCN Breast Outcomes Database platform. We analyzed use of advanced diagnostic testing with CT, PET, BS and contrast it with use of traditional imaging (mammography/ultrasound) at diagnosis and during follow up in patients with stage 0, I, II breast cancer between 1998 to 2009. Patients who died or recurred were excluded. Results: The cohort included 7,632 patients (19.6% stage 0, 48.1% stage I, 32.3% stage II) treated at 17 hospitals. Use of traditional imaging was documented in nearly 100% of patients at diagnosis and throughout the follow up period. With respect to advanced diagnostic imaging, 20.3 % underwent CT, 4.7% underwent PET, and 11.6% underwent BS at diagnosis. Advanced testing use decreased over time (Table). Conclusions: Despite published guidelines, which recommend against their routine use, advanced diagnostic imaging use was prevalent among patients treated for early breast cancer at MiBOQI hospitals. Education efforts should target physicians and patients on the lack of proven benefit and potential risks of using advanced diagnostic imaging in this population. [Table: see text]

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document