Diagnosis of Tobacco Related Cancer has Impact on Consumption of Tobacco among Family Members and Friends of Patients

Abstract Introduction: There is a saying that “cancer cures smoking” as people often quit tobacco after diagnosis of cancer. Very few studies have analyzed the change in tobacco habits of a user after diagnosis of cancer in a relative or friend. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 161 friends and relatives of 40 patients treated at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai, India, were interviewed. They were given a questionnaire related to their tobacco habits. The results were analyzed statistically using Wilcoxon signed-rank test and Mann–Whitney test using SPSS. Results: Of the studied individuals, 114 were friends and 47 were blood relatives. 141 used smokeless tobacco, 18 were smokers, and 2 consumed tobacco in both the forms. The mean frequency of tobacco consumption among the friends and relatives before diagnosis of cancer was 12.24 per day and that at the time of interview was 9.76 per day. 35 persons (21.7%) stopped consumption whereas 19 (11.8%) reduced usage after diagnosis of cancer. The difference in mean consumption at median duration of 174 days is statistically significant ( P = 0.0005). Conclusions: The diagnosis of tobacco-related cancer has significant impact on the tobacco consumption of friends and relatives. The abstinence rate is comparable to that of various tobacco deaddiction therapies in vogue.