| Abstract: |
The convergence of motivated and talented clinicians, enhanced technology, treatment guidelines, models of care, and evolving hospital accreditation standards may accelerate progress in treating tobacco dependence at NCI cancer centers. With a constituency of close to 12 million Americans living with cancer,6 cancer centers have the opportunity to be the exemplars in tobacco dependence research and treatment. Cancer centers, with their talented and committed faculty, are optimally positioned to perform cutting-edge research, inform the field of tobacco dependence treatment, and meet the call to action from the NCI40 and ASCO.27 The Treating Tobacco Dependence at Cancer Centers meeting served as a springboard to develop or refine center approaches to treating tobacco dependence and expanded and energized the community of scientists devoted to this endeavor. Priorities to enhance the quality of care for tobacco dependence at cancer centers include (1) developing consensus regarding the assessment of smoking status, (2) refining electronic medical records and clinical trials to ensure the identification and referral of smokers, (3) evaluating novel treatments for cancer patients, and (4) evaluating methods to overcome barriers to providing smoking cessation treatment. The academic resources at cancer centers and the motivation and commitment of cancer center representatives suggest that the future will see cancer centers leading the way in treating tobacco dependence and contributing substantially to further reductions in tobacco-related morbidity and mortality. Copyright © 2011 by American Society of Clinical Oncology. |
