Irena Przepiórka
National Research Institute of Oncology, PolandPresentation Title:
The Role of Quitline in supporting nicotine dependent patients with cancer
Abstract
Introduction: Quitting smoking after a cancer diagnosis significantly improves survival, reduces recurrence risk, enhances treatment effectiveness, and boosts quality of life. Despite these benefits, many cancer patients do not receive smoking cessation recommendations or referrals to specialized clinics. In Poland, support is available through the National Quitline. This study assesses how often cancer patients are referred to the Quitline.
Materials and Methods: The analysis includes data from the Polish National Quitline. It covers reactive calls (02/01–30/06/2024) and proactive calls (10/01–30/06/2024).
Results: Among 2,138 reactive calls, 231 patients (10.8%) cited cancer as their reason to quit smoking. Of these, 92 (39.8%) received medical advice to quit, 54 (23.4%) were referred to the Quitline, and 8 (3.4%) received educational materials. Most (41.5%) called within six months of diagnosis. All were heavy smokers, yet only 102 (44%) were informed by their doctors about smoking cessation benefits.Of 800 proactive service users, 53 (6.6%) were cancer patients. Among them, only 13 (24.5%) were advised by their doctor to quit, and four were referred by an oncologist. The rest sought support independently. All were heavy smokers, with three also using e-cigarettes or heated tobacco products.
Conclusion: Less than half of cancer patients receive medical advice to quit smoking, and few are referred to the Quitline. Most seek help on their own. Healthcare professionals should actively inform and refer cancer patients to smoking cessation services, ensuring they receive necessary support.
Biography
Irena Przepiórka, MA, is a long-term coordinator of the Polish Quitline. She has been working in tobacco control and smoking cessation for more than 20 years. Since 2003, she has been employed at the Maria Skłodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology in Warsaw, Poland.In recent years, she has been one of the coordinators of population-based smoking prevention and cessation programs funded by the Ministry of Health or the National Health Fund. Currently, she collaborates on developing assistance programs for oncology patients addicted to nicotine products.For many years, she has also been involved in various activities related to the treatment of tobacco dependence, including certified training sessions and workshops for healthcare professionals, as well as scientific conferences and meetings on tobacco control and smoking cessation.
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