Feasibility of Delivering a Quitline Based Smoking Cessation Intervention in Cancer Patients

OBJECTIVES: Primary \* To assess the feasibility of delivering a Quitline based smoking cessation intervention to cancer patients in an outpatient setting. To achieve this, we will deliver the intervention to cancer patients in the surgery, radiation and medical oncology departments of participating Community Clinical Oncology Program (CCOP) sites. Following the intervention, we will assess participant, CRA (Clinical Research Associate) Counselor and Quitline staff ratings of acceptability, resources required to deliver the intervention, protocol fidelity, and participant recruitment, retention and adherence. Secondary * To obtain a preliminary estimate of the quit rate (as defined by 7-day point-prevalence abstinence) in intervention and control groups. To accomplish this aim, following the intervention we will collect confirmed smoking status data for intervention and control subjects. We will also obtain a preliminary estimate of the treatment effect (difference in quit rates between the two groups) and the standard deviation to better determine the sample size for a future trial. * To evaluate primary patient reported outcomes, including quality of life (quantified by the FACT-G and for lung cancer patients only the FACT-L other concerns questions and the EORTC QLQ LC13), perceived life stress (quantified by the Perceived Stress Scale), and depression (quantified by the CESD-10), in cancer patients in the intervention and control groups. * To refine the recruitment and intervention protocols using data collected from participants, Clinical Research Associate (CRA) Counselor, and Quitline staff to increase acceptability and improve retention in future trials. OUTLINE: This is a multicenter study. Participants are stratified according to time since diagnosis (\< 3 months vs ≥ 3 months), treatment status (ongoing vs completed), and cigarette smoking (≤ 10 per day vs ≥ 11 per day). Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 intervention arms. * Arm I (intervention): Participants receive a letter from their physician advising them to quit smoking, and undergo a 15-30-minute smoking-cessation counseling session by a trained research staff. During the counseling session, participants are educated and motivated about the importance of quitting smoking, and cancer-specific quitting issues such as managing the stressors associated with cancer diagnosis and treatment. They are also told to expect a call from the Quitline in 2-3 days and receive a fact sheet about benefits of smoking cessation for cancer patients. Participants receive 8 weeks of nicotine replacement patches and up to 5 proactive telephone calls over a 12-week period. Calls are scheduled at convenient times for the participants and at relapse-sensitive intervals including; an initial planning and assessment call, a quit date call, a follow-up call 7 days after the participant's quit date, and 2 additional calls at 2-3-week intervals. Participants are also encouraged to utilize the Quit for Life Web Coach, an interactive web program application that guides them to build online quit plans, set quit dates, and track their progress toward quitting. Participants also learn behavioral tips and coping skills by interacting with others in topic-based discussion forums and community support programs. * Arm II (standard of care): Participants receive a letter from their physician advising them to quit smoking, the importance of quitting smoking for cancer patients, and a copy of the National Cancer Institute's "Clearing the Air" smoking cessation booklet. Participants also receive standard of care from their oncology and other treatment providers which may or may not include nicotine replacement therapy. Participants on the intervention arm complete the Smoking Assessment, Smoking Cessation Self-Efficacy, the Brief Smoking Consequences, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Lung Cancer (FACT-L), the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire LC-13, the Perceived Stress Scale, the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale (CESD-10 Depression), and the Follow up Smoking Assessment questionnaires at baseline and at 6, 12, and 24 weeks. Participants, on the intervention arm, undergo saliva sample collection at baseline and at 12 and 24 weeks for cotinine level analysis.