Predictors of Knowledge of the Harmfulness of Tobacco Use in Bladder Cancer Survivors

Introduction

Bladder cancer (BCa) is the second most common tobacco-related malignancy, yet awareness that tobacco use causes BCa is poor.  We aimed to identify predictors of knowledge of tobacco use harmfulness in BCa survivors.

Methods

We obtained a random sample of BCa survivors diagnosed between 2006 and 2010 from the California Cancer Registry.  Respondents were surveyed about tobacco use, risk factors, and sources of information on the causes of BCa.  Contingency tables and logistic regression analyses were used to assess tobacco use knowledge, particularly tobacco use as a cause of BCa.

Results

68% (528/775) of respondents had a positive tobacco use history.  Tobacco use was the most cited cause of BCa, which active smokers were more likely to endorse than former or never smokers (90% vs. 64% vs. 60%, p < .001).  73% of respondents indicated that their urologist was a source of information about BCa causes.  Respondent tobacco use knowledge improved when the urologist was a source: 76% indicated smoking was a cause of BCa when the urologist was a source, 45% when the urologist was not (p < .001).  In multivariate analyses, the odds of tobacco use knowledge in those who named the urologist a source were 3.45 times (95% CI 2.41-4.93) more likely than in those who did not.

Discussion

Respondents’ provider source of information about the causes of BCa predicted their tobacco use knowledge.  Urologists should ensure patient tobacco use knowledge at BCa diagnosis, particularly in active smokers who may be motivated to quit.