Smoking interventions for patients with cancer: guidelines for nursing practice.

Abstract

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To identify strategies for oncology nurses to assist patients with cancer in modifying their smoking behaviors. DATA SOURCES: Published research articles, conference proceedings, Surgeon General Reports, and book chapters. DATA SYNTHESIS: Cigarette smoking is associated with a variety of cancers, and persistent smoking following a cancer diagnosis contributes to increased morbidity and mortality. Smoking cessation affords numerous health benefits to patients with cancer, including improved respiratory functioning, increased activity tolerance, and a personal sense of accomplishment. To date, few smoking interventions have targeted patients with cancer. CONCLUSIONS: Oncology nurses can become more actively involved in effective smoking interventions by incorporating current research findings and theoretical models of behavior change into daily practice. NURSING IMPLICATIONS: Oncology nurses can more effectively help their patients who smoke by assessing smoking status and patients' readiness to quit; providing brief, supportive messages consistently over time; offering or referring patients to appropriate resources; and providing continued follow-up.