title: Smoking abstinence rates and reasons for failure to quit smoking in cancer patients in Jordan.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Failure to quit smoking in cancer patients is associated with the development of a second primary tumor and a suboptimal response to chemotherapy. However, data characterizing cancer patients' ability to quit is scarce, particularly in developing countries. Such information is valuable in highlighting the potential of cessation interventions in countries where smoking rates are high and antismoking policies are not yet fully implemented.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To measure the abstinence rates and identify reasons for the failure to quit smoking in patients visiting a smoking cessation clinic in a comprehensive cancer center in Jordan.
  
  
  METHODS
  Through retrospective medical chart review and prospective follow-up by phone, we studied long-term abstinence rates and reasons for the failure to quit smoking in 156 cancer patients referred to the smoking cessation clinic to receive counseling and pharmacological treatment. Patient demographics, clinical and smoking characteristics and long-term abstinence at 12 months were recorded, as were reasons for the failure to quit smoking.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The 12-month abstinence rate was 21.2%. The main reasons for failing to quit smoking included personal or professional stressful situations, not being able to handle withdrawal and the belief that quitting had no value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Abstinence rates in Jordanian cancer patients fall at the lower end of the range that has been reported in the literature for cancer patients. Efforts to improve these rates should focus on assisting patients in handling stress, and in adjusting medications to improve withdrawal symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Control Office, King Hussein Cancer Center, Amman, Jordan. fhawari@khcc.jo
authors.forename: Feras
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Hawari
authors.forename: Nour
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Obeidat
authors.forename: Hamza
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Beano
authors.forename: Sahar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dawahrah
authors.forename: Dalia
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Al-Rimawi
authors.forename: Iyad
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ghonimat
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007597:Jordan; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D016540:Smoking Cessation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D017211:Treatment Failure