Evidence mapPaperPMID 38844877Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2024

Smoking patterns and the intention to quit in German cancer patients: a cross-sectional study.

Frederike Bokemeyer, Lisa Lebherz, Carsten Bokemeyer, Kathleen Gali, Holger Schulz, Christiane Bleich

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cancer, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed
field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Breast cancer diagnosis as a window of opportunity for smoking cessation: analysis of changes in smoking behaviour in 736 smoking breast cancer patients.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
    Article
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

Frederike BokemeyerDepartment of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany. f.bokemeyer@uke.de.
Lisa LebherzDepartment of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
Carsten BokemeyerCenter for Oncology, II. Medical Clinic and Polyclinic, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
Kathleen GaliCancer Epidemiology Group, University Cancer Center Hamburg (UCCH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
Holger Schulz *Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
Christiane Bleich *Department of Medical Psychology, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundContinued smoking after a cancer diagnosis can be associated with lower treatment tolerance, poorer outcomes, and reduced quality of life compared to non-smoking cancer patients or to those who have quit. Yet about 60% of patients continue to smoke after being diagnosed and find it difficult to quit. To address this problem, it is necessary to identify current and past smoking patterns (e.g., frequency of use, types of tobacco products) and determine whether there is motivation to quit. Similarly, factors associated with continued smoking should be identified. These data will provide the basis for the development of smoking cessation programs tailored to the needs of cancer patients.

methodsA questionnaire was distributed to cancer patients older than 18 years in a German Comprehensive Cancer Center. Participating cancer patients were divided into three main groups: 1) patients who stopped smoking before being diagnosed with cancer (Ex-before); 2) patients who stopped smoking after a cancer diagnosis (Ex-after); and 3) patients who currently smoke cigarettes (CS). Sociodemographic, medical, and psychosocial data were collected, as well as smoking patterns and the motivation to quit smoking.

resultsAbout half of patients (51%) who smoked before diagnosis continue to smoke after a cancer diagnosis. Being diagnosed with a tobacco-related cancer type was associated with a decreased probability of continued smoking. Patients with tobacco-related tumors and receiving positive support in burdensome situations were more likely to have a higher cigarette dependence. Of all CS, 59.1% had intention to quit, and 22.7% reported having taken action to quit. The support by a smoking cessation program was considered important. CS were willing to spend up to €100 for support and were open to multiple sessions per week, group sessions, one-on-one sessions and/or online support.

conclusionThese findings underscore the importance of educating cancer patients about the consequences of smoking and to provide them with support to quit. Identified risk factors may further help to recognize cancer patients with high risk of continued smoking after diagnosis.

trial registrationThe study was registered at OSF ( https://osf.io/3c9km ) and published as a study protocol at " https://bmjopen.bmj.com/content/13/4/e069570 ".

Indexed as

IntentionMotivationNeoplasmsSmokingSmoking CessationAdultAgedCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleGermanyHumansMaleMiddle AgedQuality of LifeSurveys and QuestionnairesCancerPsycho-oncologySmoking cessation

Identifiers

PMID38844877
PMCPMC11155111

What Socratic holds

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.