Prospective, randomized, controlled trial using best-selling smoking-cessation book

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Head and neck cancer patients are often active smokers, necessitating effective smoking cessation interventions.
• Self-help resources, like books, are potential tools for smoking cessation but require efficacy evaluation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the effectiveness of Allen Carr's 'The Easy Way to Stop Smoking' book in promoting smoking cessation among head and neck cancer patients.
• To explore the relationship between reading the self-help book and successful smoking cessation.

Main Methods:

• A prospective, randomized controlled trial involving 112 active smokers with head and neck cancer.
• Participants were randomized to either receive the book for free or be recommended to purchase it. All received counseling.
• Follow-up phone surveys assessed book engagement and smoking status at short and long-term intervals.

Main Results:

• Patients receiving the book for free were more likely to read it (p=0.05).
• Reading the book did not correlate with successful smoking cessation (p=0.81).
• Smoking cessation rates were similar between groups (26% free book vs. 32% recommended, p=0.76).

Conclusions:

• The self-help book 'The Easy Way to Stop Smoking' did not demonstrate a significant impact on smoking cessation in this patient group.
• Patient motivation to quit smoking was identified as a crucial factor for achieving long-term abstinence.
• Achieving sustained smoking cessation in head and neck cancer patients likely requires multifaceted interventions beyond self-help books.