Tobacco Treatment Delivery in cancer patients in Europe

The importance of quitting smoking after a cancer diagnosis

ENSP is pleased to collaborate with the European Cancer Patient Coalition in organisation of the webinar “Tobacco Treatment Delivery in cancer patients in Europe”, that will be held on 19 October 2020, from 13:00 to 14:00 CET, as part of the ENSP-ECTC Conference – The Online Edition. Symposium aims at addressing the importance of smoking cessation during or after cancer treatment, highlighting the feasibility, availability, cost-effectiveness and efficacy in cancer treatment success and cancer recovery. In addition, tobacco use and smoking cessation during the COVID-19 epidemic and recommendations for cancer patients will be addressed. This will be the first webinar of the upcoming series of events on the role of smoking cessation in cancer treatment process.

Great progress has been recorded in cancer care during the past years. Although, it is well established that approximately 30% of cancer deaths are directly caused by smoking and there are evidence-based interventions including behavioural therapy available which can double or triple the rates of successful quitting, they are often neglected and are not incorporated in cancer treatment and recovery.

Continuing smoking after diagnosis affects the treatment outcomes, increases the mortality rates after treatment and the recurrence of cancer while increases the risk of a new cancer. On the other hand, quitting smoking after the cancer diagnosis can improve the treatment outcomes, prolong survival, and reduce the risk for new cancers.

All the above mentioned suggest that tobacco treatment delivery in cancer patients from the early stages of diagnosis is a unique opportunity to improve the effectiveness of treatment and avoid new cancer development in the future.

Find the agenda here…