Work

Treating Tobacco Use in Patients with Incurable Malignancies: Should We Even Start the Conversation?

Year: 2018

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Clinical practice guidelines recommend that all medical providers address tobacco use with patients, as the long-term health benefits of becoming tobacco free are well documented. What happens, though, when a patient has an incurable malignancy and, therefore, will not reap the long-term benefits? Clinical Consideration: Our case study encourages providers to consider the relevance of tobacco use treatment for those with incurable diseases. DISCUSSION: Although long-term benefits will not provide realistic motivation, other equally important rewards (e.g., decreased shortness of breath), a sense of accomplishment shared by patients and family, and the ability to exert control over a behavior can be equally motivating for some patients.

Source: Journal of Palliative Medicine

DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2017.0304

Authors: Susan Trout, Adam O. Goldstein, Lawrence Marks, Carol Ripley-Moffitt

Institution: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Language: English

Topic: Smoking Behavior and Cessation

Subfield: Physiology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: green

Funder: National Cancer Institute