Preoperative Nicotine Cessation for Women With Breast Cancer Recommended for Reconstruction

Close to 20% of cancer patients currently use nicotine products. Nicotine use in breast cancer patients is associated with poorer overall outcomes, including worsened survival and increased surgical complications. Nicotine cessation is rarely addressed in breast cancer patients at the time of diagnosis and may be a missed opportunity to optimize patient outcomes. Patients that use nicotine products are not offered reconstruction at time of mastectomy or oncoplastics at the time of lumpectomy, which can be emotionally distressing in women with breast cancer. Reconstruction could be an additional motivating factor in nicotine cessation success. This study aims to evaluate the feasibility of a nicotine cessation program designed by Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in the target population. The study is designed to test the acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a formal nicotine cessation program in women actively using nicotine products with breast cancer recommended for reconstructive or oncoplastics surgery.