Effective Smoking Cessation Counseling for Participants in a Lung Cancer Screening

Since 2019, lung cancer screening using low-dose chest computed tomography (LDCT) has been implemented for high-risk smokers as part of Korea's national cancer screening program.Smoking is the leading cause of lung cancer, and smoking cessation is crucial for reducing the disease's incidence and mortality rates.After lung cancer screening, the consulting physician should offer participants a thorough consultation on the LDCT results, along with comprehensive smoking cessation counseling.However, this counseling is often inadequately addressed.The consulting physician should help participants understand the risks associated with smoking and clearly explain the benefits of quitting.For smokers who have previously struggled with quitting, fostering a positive outlook and avoiding the attribution of their challenges solely to a lack of willpower is critical.It is essential to encourage quitting through a combination of medication and counseling.When time or expertise for smoking cessation counseling is limited, referring patients to national smoking cessation resources-such as public health center clinics, quitlines, and cessation camps-and actively promoting their participation can be a practical approach.