Smokers continue after cancer diagnosis

Many smokers who develop lung or colorectal cancer are still smoking five months after their diagnosis, according to research from the USA (Cancer 2012; published online doi: 10.1002/cncr.26545).

The survey of 5338 newly diagnosed patients found that 39 per cent of those with lung cancer were smokers at diagnosis and 14 per cent continued to smoke; the corresponding rates for patients with colorectal cancer were 14 and 9 per cent.

Characteristics associated with continued smoking among patients with lung cancer included low emotional support, not having received chemotherapy or surgery, prior heart disease and previous high cigarette consumption. Among those with colorectal cancer, continued smoking was also associated with previous heavy smoking and with being male, having less education and not having had surgery.