What is the Tobacco Treatment Program?
A smoking treatment program that offers assistance to anyone using tobacco products and those who have used tobacco within the past year. If you join this program, you will get counseling along with the use of pharmacotherapy (nicotine replacement therapy and/or other medications).
If you would like to schedule an appointment with the Tobacco Treatment Program, please call 888-369-2427 or fill out the online form
How does smoking affect cancer and its treatment?
It's never too late to quit smoking.
Effects of smoking on cancer treatment:
- Poor wound healing after surgery
- More side effects from chemotherapy
- Fewer cancer cells killed by radiation
Quitting smoking can:
- Improve treatment results
- Decrease side effects and problems from treatment
- Lower risk of more cancers
- Improve quality of life
- Lengthen your life
What medications do you recommend?
Medications help reduce cravings and withdrawal. When you have your visit, we can talk about which treatment is best for you.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)
- The patch, gum and lozenge or a combination of them
Other Medications (require a prescription)
- Chantix (Varenicline)
- Zyban (Bupropion)
What is the counseling like?
Counseling can help you control the smoking habit. You will decide if you want to cut back or quit. You and your counselor will talk about issues like:
- Planning to quit
- Dealing with cravings and withdrawal
- Getting social support
- Coping with stress
- Recovering from lapses
- Staying tobacco free
How much does it cost?
Your insurance may be billed for:
- appointments with the clinician
- medicines
You may need to pay for some of these costs. Assistance may be available for some of the medicine costs, if you qualify.
Who are the clinicians that are part of the Tobacco Treatment Program?
- Donna Edmondson, MSN, CRNP, OCN
- Carolyn Zawislak, PA-C
- Kaitlyn Gregory, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC
- Dana Wynne, MSN, CRNP, FNP-C
- Caryn Vadseth, MSN, CRNP, AGPCNP-BC, OCN
Where can I learn more?
- State Quit Line: 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-784-8669)
- National Cancer Institute Quit Line: 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848)
- Online Resources
- Free texting program: SmokefreeTXT, to sign up text FOX to 47848
- Fox Chase Cancer Center Fact Sheet: Support for Quitting Smoking During Cancer Treatment [PDF]
- Lung Cancer Screening
Who can I contact?
If you have a question about your treatment or are having side effects from your tobacco treatment, contact your clinician.
If you would like to schedule an appointment with the Tobacco Treatment Program, please call or fill out the online form.
STAR Accreditation
Fox Chase Cancer Center has been accredited by the Smoking Treatment Accreditation & Recognition (STAR) program, a tobacco treatment initiative funded through a grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Health. The STAR process focuses on tobacco-related efforts that are expected to improve overall survival, reduce hospital readmissions, and shorten hospital stays among those who use tobacco.
