Regardless of how the media chooses to shape the perception of electronic cigarettes, it’s still one of the top nicotine replacement therapies used by current and former cancer patients to overcome their tobacco and nicotine dependencies. With more seasoned smokers having trouble making the shift, studies suggest that those who have undergone their cancer treatment at a younger age are more likely to use e-cig starter kits. Needless to say, although conventional smoking rates have remained popular within this medical cohort, the prevalence of e-cigarette use has shifted. It’s a new area, so let’s take a look at the controversy and find out about this recent medical center news release.
The study
A study that followed 13,274 patients with a self-reported cancer diagnosis found that roughly one in 10 respondents reported having used e-cigarettes either during or after their treatment. The study was conducted through the use of a survey that was answered by participants from 2014 to 2017 and later published in 2019 by the journal, JAMA Oncology. The findings determined that most of the patients belonged to a cohort of former smokers and those who were 50 and under were much more likely to use e-cigarettes.
The objective
The analysis was conducted in order to better understand how the e-cigarette trend has slowly replaced the use of conventional cigarettes among current or former cancer patients. Researchers from the CDC’s National Health Interview Survey wanted to see the significance of a large cohort of people in order to determine if age played a role in e-cigarette use.
What was the result?
The study found that electronic cigarette uses among cancer patients and survivors had increased in recent years, whereas conventional smoking rates had remained stable — with one in 10 survey respondents reporting that they had or still do use their e-cig starter kits. Here are some other main findings of the study:
- The median age of participants who had used/are using e-cigs was 68.
- The ages of the participants ranged between 18 and 85.
- 26.8% of participants under 50 tried/still use e-cig starter kits whereas those who are 50+ are only at 8%.
- Conventional cigarette use has not dropped, even with the use of e-cigs.
Do you know someone who was an ex-cancer patient who used e-cigs? Drop a first-hand experience below to start a conversation
Alex Wilks is the Social Media & Content Creator for Trek Marketing. Her work has been featured on Global News, Black Press Media, andthe Kwantlen Chronicle
