Objective:
To identify literature findings on successful smoking cessation among cancer patients.

Methods:
Literature review.

Results and Conclusions:
Tobacco smoking has been linked not only to the development of cancer (15 different sites), but also to prognosis upon diagnosis and risk of death during treatment. However, smoking prevalence remains high among cancer patients. Continuing smoking after diagnosis of cancer increase risk of second primary cancer and recurrence. Smoking has been shown to negatively impact outcomes from cancer surgery, affecting postoperative complications. Smoking alter drug metabolism - increases the risk of drug resistance and fluctuation of drug concentrations, of which consequence is poorer response to chemotherapy. Smoking during radiotherapy worsen treatment prognosis too. Quitting smoking can benefit even after a cancer diagnosis, regardless of stage and prognosis and results in immediate and long-term benefits. Therefore, smoking cessation should be the part or routine cancer care. The diagnosis of cancer is called a teachable moment and it should be treated by medical staff as an opportunity to promote smoking cessation. Generally tobacco treatment approaches that are recommended for the general population are also appropriate for cancer patients. However, few cancer-specific factors should be taken into account. 1. The level of stress and depression among cancer patients is high 2. If cancer is smoking-related that may result in high level of feeling guilty and shame. 3. The motivation to quit is the highest just after the diagnosis and there is a huge proportion of those who declare willingness of quitting smoking, so early intervention is highly recommended. 4. The education about health benefits is important since the knowledge of patients is relatively poor. 5. In some types of cancer, eg. head and neck cancers, not all of pharmacotherapy forms can be used. The oncologist are focused mainly on anticancer treatment so smoking cessation program for cancer patients should be based on service available in country – like smoking cessation clinics, quitline, family doctors etc.