Large-scale study on smoking cessation and e-cigarette effects in cancer patients
Key Points
- Study on 46.834 cancer patients compared smoking cessation, e-cigarette switching, and continued use
- In those who quit completely, mortality risk 8% lower, cardiovascular event risk 36% lower
- In e-cigarette switchers, mortality risk down 16%, cardiovascular risk down 28%, but 64.2% were dual users
- Experts view complete cessation as ideal, e-cigarettes as temporary 'harm reduction' tool for those unable to quit
By the Numbers
Researchers at Samsung Seoul Hospital analyzed 46.834 patients diagnosed with cancer between 2015 and 2022 who were smoking at the time. 55.3% of patients quit smoking completely, 37.2% continued regular cigarettes, and 7.5% switched to e-cigarettes. 64.2% of those who switched to e-cigarettes were 'dual users' using both products.
After a median 4.2-year follow-up, all-cause mortality risk was 8% lower and major cardiovascular event risk was 36% lower in those who quit completely compared to those who continued smoking. In the group that switched to e-cigarettes, mortality risk decreased by 16% and cardiovascular event risk by 28%.
While researchers emphasized that quitting completely is the best strategy, they stated that e-cigarettes could be considered a 'harm reduction' tool for patients who cannot quit, though caution is advised due to dual use and lung risks.
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Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the smoking cessation rate among cancer patients in the study?
- 55.3% of smoking cancer patients quit completely, 37.2% continued regular cigarettes, and 7.5% switched to e-cigarettes.
- Is switching to e-cigarettes as beneficial as quitting completely?
- No. The reduction in mortality and cardiovascular risk is higher in those who quit completely compared to those who switched to e-cigarettes; e-cigarettes are only a 'harm reduction' option for those who cannot quit.
- What is the biggest risk of using e-cigarettes?
- 64.2% of those who switched to e-cigarettes became 'dual users' using both regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes; this eliminates the harm reduction effect and increases the risk of lung complications.
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