Two-Year Follow-Up of a Randomized Controlled Study of Integrated Smoking Cessation in a Lung Cancer Screening...

Area of Science:

• Pulmonology
• Oncology
• Public Health

Background:

• Smoking cessation is recommended in lung cancer screening programs.
• Previous studies have not shown increased quit rates with cessation programs in this setting.
• This study evaluated long-term smoking cessation counseling effectiveness in lung cancer screening participants.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine the long-term effectiveness of telephone-based smoking cessation counseling.
• To assess smoking abstinence rates 24 months post-intervention.
• To compare intensive counseling with usual care (information pamphlet) in smokers undergoing lung cancer screening.

Main Methods:

• Randomized controlled trial with 337 active smokers.
• Intervention: Intensive, telephone-based smoking cessation counseling.
• Control: Usual care (information pamphlet).
• Outcome measured: 30-day smoking abstinence at 24 months post-randomization.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant difference in 30-day smoking abstinence at 24 months (18.3% control vs. 21.4% intervention; p=0.48).
• No significant differences in 7-day abstinence, use of cessation aids, or quit intention.
• Overall abstinence rates increased from 12 to 24 months (13.3% vs. 19.9%; p<0.001).

Conclusions:

• Telephone-based smoking cessation counseling did not increase long-term quit rates compared to usual care in lung cancer screening participants.
• Quit rates were high and improved over time during screening.
• The findings suggest current integrated cessation interventions may not be sufficient for unselected smokers.