City of Hope C31 Cessation Program

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) launched the Cancer Center Cessation Initiative (C3I) as part of the NCI CANCER MOONSHOT program.
 
The City of Hope C3I Tobacco Cessation Program team is committed to building a community of health care providers, researchers, patients, families and diverse communities to support tobacco cessation as a standard part of cancer care for all patients and as a priority for health promotion and wellness. It is the fourth pillar of best cancer care, beside surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
 
We will support you with proper cessation medications to overcome withdrawal symptoms/cravings, behavioral strategies to break habits that trigger smoking, strategic problem solving and social support to boost your chance of success.
 
Smoking Cessation Program
 

Services Offered                 

  • Tobacco use assessment
  • Individual cessation counseling with education, resources and behavioral interventions
  • Tobacco cessation medications        
  • Rapid Action Plan for relapses            
  • Same day face-to-face or phone counseling for new patients and at-risk patients
  • Referrals to California Smokers’ Helpline and SmokeFree TxT
  • Tobacco cessation support group 
     

Tobacco cessation is a priority

In order to provide the best care for you, your doctor has included tobacco cessation as an important part of your cancer treatment and has referred you to City of Hope’s C31 Tobacco Cessation Program. As smoking cessation may improve your chances of successful treatment, it should be started as soon as possible to be included in your treatment. The overwhelming reasons to prioritize quitting are described below. Your health care provider and the City of Hope Tobacco Cessation Program can be a valuable resource as you are trying to quit tobacco use. We can help!
 
Tobacco Cessation in 6 Steps
  1. Determine your reasons for quitting and make up your mind. Be confident that you can take action to quit.
  2. Set your quit day and make a plan.
  3. Prepare yourself to overcome your tobacco use triggers and habits.
  4. Be prepared to fight cravings by using appropriate quit aids and/or medications.
  5. Get rid of cigarettes etc. and all smoking reminders to make things clean and fresh.
  6. It is ok to seek and receive extra help and support you need to quit.
“Your healthcare team and City of Hope Tobacco Cessation Program are your valuable resources as you are trying to quit smoking.”
 

Smoking/Vaping and COVID-19

Smoking may increase the risk from COVID-19 by weakening the immune system, increasing susceptibility by impairing lung function, and increasing the likelihood that the illness will progress from mild respiratory illness to the most extreme stages like acute respiratory distress (ARD) and cardiovascular complications.
 

What We Know About e-cigarettes and Vaping

Vaping was originally introduced as a safer smoking substitute. However, it is not necessarily safer and comes with its unique set of toxic risks. In addition, many who vape also smoke and thus become dual users. This adds physical and chemical injuries associated with vaping to the toxicities of smoking, for example, E-cigarette or Vaping Product Use-Associated Lung Injury (EVALI) - thus increasing risk. Also, vaping has been considered as a method of quitting smoking. However, the evidence for using vaping for tobacco withdrawal is weak and again runs the risk of dual use. As a result, the FDA as well as the scientific experts do not recommend vaping either as a substitute or smoking cessation tool. Recently, there has been a substantial increase in kids using e-cigarettes with attractive flavors combined with targeted youth advertising. Also, some products have a very high nicotine content that is very addicting. Consistently, latest research reveals that youth who vape are 3 times more likely become smokers. This has the effect of undoing progress on reducing smoking in youths - in fact it may create a whole new generation of tobacco victims. 

Why is it important to quit?

Continuing to smoke can reduce the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Tobacco smoke has over 7,000 chemicals. Smoking causes heart disease, stroke and many types of cancers including lung, esophagus, larynx, mouth, throat, kidney, bladder, pancreas, stomach, colorectal, liver, cervix, breast, prostate and leukemia. It increases the risk and recurrence of a new cancer. It is also associated with COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), heart disease, stroke rheumatoid arthritis, autoimmune disease and diabetes. Nicotine is highly addictive and promotes depression and anxiety.
 
Each year, smoking causes more than 480,000 deaths, including deaths from second-hand smoke. Secondhand smoke causes the same health hazards to your family and pets.
 
It is never too late to stop using tobacco!
 
By stopping tobacco use, your medications and treatments like surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy or transplants will work better. You will heal faster and have fewer complications. People who quit smoking after a cancer diagnosis live longer, have more successful treatment, fewer treatment side effects, recover faster and have improved quality of life. The risks of the cancer recurring or getting a new cancer can be reduced. Even when people are reaching their last days, stopping tobacco use can improve quality of life. 
 
By quitting smoking, you can eliminate 7,000+ chemicals and carcinogens, including hydrogen cyanide, formaldehyde, lead, arsenic, benzene, radioactive materials, carbon monoxide and ammonia. 
 
Benefits of quitting start right away. Your body feels better and works better. You can regain your freedom from smoking. Food tastes better, air smells fresher and you save money.
 

What if I tried to quit and was unsuccessful?

Most people have tried many times to give up smoking. Sometimes relapse is just one step closer to success. There is no failure!
 
Through research, we have learned how to make quitting easier and more effective. If your spouse, family or close friends use tobacco, it is important to also let your doctor know. Our work, along with your commitment to use the tools and strategies to quit smoking, can help you reach your goal to a tobacco-free life.
 
 

Ask About Lung Cancer Screening

Lung cancer screening is fast, easy, painless and cost-effective. It offers lifesaving benefits of early lung cancer detection. Current or former smokers may be eligible for lung cancer screening. Please contact us for more information.
 

Program Contact 

To schedule a consult or for more information, please contact:

Sophia Yeung, M.H.A., C.T.T.S.
Administrative Coordinator
Smoking Cessation and Lung Cancer Screening Programs
626-256-4673, ext. 89114, or 626-535-3983
smokingcessation@coh.org