Relationships Between Smoking Status and Psychological Distress, Optimism, and Health Environment Perceptions at Time of Diagnosis of Actual or Suspected Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND: While much research and practice resources have addressed smoking cessation among cancer patients, less emphasis has been placed on personal psychological and environment factors associated with smoking at the time of diagnosis. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to examine differences in psychological distress, optimism, and perceptions of the health environment/illness experience based on smoking status in patients with current, former, and no smoking history with newly diagnosed suspected or actual lung cancer. METHODS: Data were derived from a descriptive study of 52 patients (34 men and 18 women aged 37-83 years) undergoing diagnostic evaluation for actual or suspected lung cancer. Descriptive statistics were used to characterize data. Analysis of variance, χ, and Spearman correlation tests were used to determine relationships among main study variables (smoking status, anxiety, worry, perceived cognitive functioning, optimistic outlook, health environment/illness experience perceptions). RESULTS: Current smoking status was associated with higher psychological distress (anxiety and worry) among patients facing a new suspected or actual cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSIONS: The study was able to provide important information relative to smoking status and psychological distress at the time of diagnosis of suspected or actual lung cancer. Findings demonstrate needs for assessment and targeted interventions to reduce psychological distress and to promote long-term adaptation in patients smoking at time of diagnosis. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses are positioned to provide support and resources for cancer patients. It is critical that smoking cessation interventions also address nicotine craving, emotion regulation, and adaptive coping skills.