Family History of Lung Cancer and Contemplation of Smoking Cessation

BACKGROUND The prevalence of cigarette smoking in the United States has decreased, but current rates remain above nationally set objectives. A family history of lung cancer may motivate adult smokers to quit and contribute to further reductions in smoking prevalence. METHODS We surveyed adult smokers (N = 838) interviewed as part of the 2005 Health Information National Trends Survey. We examined the association between family history of lung cancer and smoking cessation precontemplation (not considering), contemplation (considering), and preparation. RESULTS More people who reported a family history of lung cancer were in contemplation/preparation stages (41%) than were in the precontemplation stage (19%). Adults who reported a family history of lung cancer were more likely (odds ratio 2.55 [95% confidence interval, 1.44-4.52]) to be contemplators than precontemplators after adjusting for demographic variables and level of daily smoking. CONCLUSION Family history of lung cancer among adult smokers may be associated with contemplating quitting smoking. Further investigation of family history's role in bolstering motivation to quit smoking may assist in developing or improving smoking cessation interventions for this group.