Evaluation of the Effects of Cancer Diagnosis on Smoking Behavior in Cancer Patients and Their Relatives

SUMMARY Introduction and Objective: Smoking plays a role in the development of many diseases, such as atherosclerotic cardiovascular diseases, COPD and cancer. We aimed to examine the smoking behaviors of patients and their relatives who are followed up and treated after cancer diagnosis and to identify associated factors. Materials and Methods: Between August 2012 and January 2013, 211 patients and 208 relatives of patients who were admitted to the medical oncology department of Ankara University Faculty of Medicine between August 2012 and January 2013 and whose follow-up and treatment continued in the ward or outpatient clinic were included in this study. A survey consisting of 25 questions was applied to the patients and 24 questions to their relatives. Beck Depression Inventory was added to the last part of the questionnaire in both groups. Three months after the completion of the forms, the participants were called again, and their smoking behaviors were questioned again. Results: Pre-diagnosis smoking prevalence was higher among patients than their relatives (62.6% vs. 45.7%). Patients started smoking at an earlier age, and their daily cigarette consumption was significantly higher than that of their relatives. The amount of cigarettes smoked per day increased significantly as the age of initiation decreased in both patient and relative groups. The rate of smoking cessation /reduction was significantly higher in patients than in relatives (97.2% vs. 26.6%). Physicians were significantly more likely to recommend smoking cessation to patients than relatives (41.9% vs. 20%). Beck depression scores were significantly higher in patients and singles than in patients' relatives and married patients. No significant difference was found between smoking attitude and depression scores in patients and relatives. Conclusion: Smoking is one of the most important preventable factors that threaten human health. It is imperative to develop effective strategies in the fight against smoking rapidly. In this context, physicians' recommendations for smoking cessation are as effective as many other methods. After the diagnosis of cancer, both patients and their relatives showed a tendency to quit or reduce smoking, with patients being significantly more likely.