Electronic cigarettes for lung cancer patients V1.0
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Feasibility and acceptability of electronic cigarettes as an aid to smoking cessation for lung cancer patients
IRAS ID
197765
Contact name
Joy Taylor
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
University of Stirling
Duration of Study in the UK
1 years, 0 months, 1 days
Research summary
Can electronic cigarettes help lung cancer patients stop smoking during chemotherapy treatment?
Many patients diagnosed with lung cancer continue to smoke tobacco even though this can make their treatment less effective and increase side effects. Patients continue to smoke as they find it difficult to stop. Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are relatively new devices but existing evidence, endorsed by organisations such as CRUK, Public Health England and others makes it clear that they are safer than traditional cigarettes. They may provide a more attractive alternative to patients who have struggled to stop smoking. There are no studies of e-cigarettes with lung cancer patients so it is important to find out if e-cigarettes can be used during their treatment, if they find them helpful and if they improve outcomes for them.
25 smokers with Stage IV lung cancer who are about to start chemotherapy treatment within NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde Health Board and who are willing to try to cut down/stop smoking using an e-cigarette can take part in the study funded by Roy Castle Lung Cancer Foundation. Participants will be provided with an e-cigarette and shown how to use it. They will be followed up by telephone for four weeks to see how they are getting on, at a routine clinic visit for their cancer treatment at around four weeks, and by a home visit at around 16 weeks. Information will be collected on e-cigarette use, side effects, and reduction in tobacco use. At the clinic and home visit participants will also have a breath test to confirm if they have reduced/stopped smoking tobacco. All participants will be offered a referral to local stop smoking services as is usual practice.
Between 4 & 16 weeks patients will be interviewed. Interviews with patients’ family members & health professionals will also take place. All interviews will be optional.
REC name
West of Scotland REC 3
REC reference
16/WS/0027
Date of REC Opinion
9 Mar 2016
REC opinion
Further Information Favourable Opinion