Tobacco cessation services for cancer survivors

Abstract

Introduction People who continue to smoke after receiving a cancer diagnosis experience adverse outcomes. National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers (NCI-DCCs) can help prevent these adverse outcomes by offering tobacco cessation services. This study examined the online availability of tobacco cessation service information by searching NCI-DCC websites to identify webpages offering tobacco treatment services and/or resources ("web capture") and by systematically coding these webpages to characterize the services offered and information provided ("webpage coding").Methods The web capture was conducted during 2023 for 65/72 NCI-DCCs (excluding 7 Basic Laboratory NCI-DCCs) by (1) entering key terms related to tobacco cessation into the search box on the homepages, (2) reviewing the homepages, and (3) reviewing drop-down menus. The webpage coding was conducted during 2024 and 2025 using a multiple-coder protocol designed by NCI subject matter experts and was refined iteratively over three rounds of pilot testing.Results A total of 225 webpages offered tobacco cessation services. NCI-DCCs had from 0 to 19 webpages captured. Most NCI-DCCs offer counseling services (72.3%), medication (66.2%), quitlines (69.2%), and external resources and services/programs (66.2%). Less commonly, NCI-DCCs offer support groups, group classes, and/or workshops separate from counseling services (35.4%); and NCI-sponsored cessation programs (53.8%).Conclusions The results suggest that many NCI-DCCs offer tobacco cessation services; however, there is still room for improvement in the availability and promotion of tobacco cessation services for cancer survivors.Implications National Cancer Institute-Designated Cancer Centers (NCI-DCCs) offer tobacco cessation services to prevent adverse outcomes among cancer survivors. By searching NCI-DCC websites to identify webpages offering tobacco treatment services and/or resources and characterizing services and information, this study examined the online availability of tobacco cessation service information. Most NCI-DCCs offer counseling, medication, quitlines, and external resources and services/programs. However, support groups, group classes, and/or workshops separate from counseling and NCI-sponsored cessation programs are less common. Findings inform providers and policy-makers of the remaining need for smoking cessation services in cancer care settings and to ensure that patients are informed about such services via cancer center websites.