Promoting Smoking Cessation in Lung Cancer Screening Through Proactive Treatment

Promoting Smoking Cessation in Lung Cancer Screening Through Proactive Treatment

This pragmatic trial will evaluate the value of routinely providing proactive smoking cessation support to current smokers as a part of participating in lung cancer screening within Veterans Health Administration.

This trial is a pragmatic randomized trial targeting the care of current smokers who are participating in lung cancer screening at two VA sites. Primary care providers at these sites will be randomized, and half will be offered tools to help integrate proactive smoking cessation support into the lung cancer screening process. Key proactive elements include proactive telephone outreach to all current smokers by a VA Quitline counselor that follows mailed results letters, and providing providers guidance in offering proactive cessation medication support as part of the lung cancer screening process.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Providers who schedule patients for a lung cancer screening at either of the two VA sites.
• Patients who participate in lung cancer screening and are current smokers at the time of scheduling their screening exam.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Providers who currently systematically prescribe cessation support medication to all current smokers will be excluded.
• Patients with urgent findings requiring biopsy/immediate attention on the screening CT will be excluded.
• Patients with a prior diagnosis of lung cancer or who are receiving active therapy for any cancer, except skin cancer, will be excluded.
• Patients previously diagnosed with cognitive impairment, dementia, or severe behavioral disorders, or have an indication in chart review of difficulty communicating or participating in telephone counseling sessions will be excluded.