Although all health care provider have the knowledge related to smoking hazard; however oncologist especially the one treating lung cancer are the most acquainted to the important of smoking in their lung cancer patient. There is lots of information regarding the cause of lung cancer in smoker and the chance of lung cancer recurrence is higher in patient who continues smoke after lung cancer treatment. There is difference type of lung cancer histology related to smoker versus non-smoker, and there is also difference in gene mutation in these two groups.
The contribution of oncologist in smoking cessation or helping individual patients and communities are not enough. Most oncologists are concentrating in the treatment and have limited time for the discussion about smoking. There is no protocol for smoking cessation in most oncology office
The major organization like the International Association of Lung Cancer (IASLC), the smoking topic was demanded to incorporate in all meeting supported by the IASLC.
Thus, it is important to enhance awareness of smoking hazard and smoking cessation procedure to oncologist.