Tobacco use is a leading cause of preventable illness and death in the United States and is attributed to 32% of all cancer deaths, including cancer of the throat, mouth, nasal cavity, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, kidneys, bladder, and cervix.

Approximately 23% of cancer survivors continue to use tobacco during the rst year after diagnosis. Tobacco use, particularly smoking, after a cancer diagnosis may result in treatment delays, treatment complications, worsened prognosis, and diminished quality of life for cancer patients and survivors.

The medical advantages of quitting tobacco after a cancer diagnosis are great. Healing the damage caused by tobacco use leads to decreased risk of a second cancer and longer survival. Quitting smoking has immediate and long-term benefits. Despite evidence about the negative effects of continued tobacco use in cancer patients, tobacco cessation remains a challenge in all communities.

Promoting cessation is an evidence-based practice and a key component of comprehensive tobacco control programs.10 LHDs can modify existing cessation services and outreach to support cancer survivors in tobacco cessation. By maximizing existing resources, LHDs can play a critical role in improving health outcomes for cancer survivors across the county.

Tobacco-Cessation-for-Cancer-Survivors-A-Resource-Guide-for-LHDs.pdf

Stephen B. Thacker CDC Library collection

Cooperative Agreement Number DP004969 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention