Prevalence and Predictors of Sustained Smoking after a Cancer Diagnosis in Korean Men
- Author:
Hye Yeon KOO
1
;
Kiheon LEE
;
Sang Min PARK
;
Jooyoung CHANG
;
Kyuwoong KIM
;
Seulggie CHOI
;
Mi Hee CHO
;
Jihye JUN
;
Sung Min KIM
Author Information
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Cancer Research and Treatment 2020;52(1):139-148
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Purpose:Although smoking has a significant impact on mortality and morbidity of cancer patients, many patients continue to smoke post-diagnosis. The purpose of this study was to investigate prevalence and predictors of sustained smoking among male cancer survivors.
Materials and Methods:The Korean National Health Insurance Service-National Health Screening Cohort database was used for this population-based, retrospective study. Study subjects were 15,141 men who were diagnosed with their first incident cancer between 2004 and 2011. Changes in smoking status before and after a cancer diagnosis were investigated. For patients who were current smokers pre-diagnosis, association between post-diagnosis sustained smoking and demographic, socioeconomic, and clinical variables were examined.
Results:Of the 4,657 pre-diagnosis smokers, 2,255 (48%) had quit after cancer diagnosis, while 2,402 (51.6%) continued to smoke. In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, younger age at cancer diagnosis (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21 to 1.55; p < 0.001), low socioeconomic status (aOR, 1.29; 95% CI, 1.15 to 1.45; p ≤ 0.001), pre-diagnosis heavy smoking (aOR, 1.24; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.41; p=0.001), diagnosis of non-smoking– related cancer (aOR, 1.67; 95% CI, 1.42 to 1.96; p < 0.001), and high serum glucose level (aOR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.46; p=0.019) were associated with sustained smoking after a cancer diagnosis.
Conclusion:Almost half of the male smokers continue to smoke after a cancer diagnosis. Targeted interventions for smoking cessation should be considered for patients with younger age, low socioeconomic status, heavy smoking history, non-smoking–related cancer, and high blood glucose levels.
