Trends in frequency of e-cigarette use among cancer patients and survivors in the United States, 2014-2018

Vaping behavior among adolescent and young adult cancer survivors: A scoping review

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors are vulnerable to future health complications and engage in risky health behaviors. Vaping or electronic cigarette use is increasing among AYA, yet little is known about the prevalence in AYA cancer survivors and associated morbidities. The objective of this research was to analyze the current state of the literature on vaping among AYA cancer survivors with scoping review methodology. Eligibility criteria included any vaping among people aged 13-39 years with cancer or a history of cancer. Database searches from PubMed, Web of Science, PsycINFO, and Scopus yielded eight cross-sectional studies. Results suggest significant variability, with studies finding 2%-46% of AYA survivors have ever or currently vape. Medical (e.g., late effects), psychosocial (e.g., depression), and demographic correlates (e.g., younger age, male gender), as well as other risky health behaviors (e.g., cigarette smoking) were shown to be associated with vaping. Though the extant research is beginning the task of understanding comorbidities with vaping, few research has focused on those most vulnerable to vaping (survivors under age 18). More research is required to understand AYA survivors' vaping behavior to better understand the significance and implications regarding the growing incidence of vaping among this vulnerable population.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of e-cigarette use among cancer survivors

PURPOSE

We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to determine the use of e-cigarettes among cancer survivors, factors associated with their use, and prevalence of e-cigarette use as a quit attempt.

METHODS

We searched five electronic databases until June 2022. Two authors independently selected studies, appraised their quality, and collected data.

RESULTS

Twenty-three publications from eight data sources (national surveys) met our eligibility criteria. The pooled rate of lifetime e-cigarette use among cancer survivors was 15% (95% CI 6-27%); current use was 3% (95% CI 0-8%). Among survivors who currently used traditional cigarettes, 63% (95% CI 57-69%) also used e-cigarettes. The reported rates of weighted lifetime e-cigarette use differed between age groups (18-44 years, up to 46.7%; 45-64, up to 27.2%; ≥65, up to 24.8%). Nine publications reported factors associated with lifetime e-cigarette use (i.e., active use of traditional cigarettes; heavy drinking; poor mental health; younger age; being male, non-Hispanic White, or single; having less than high school education or income ≤$25,000 USD; and living in the South regions of the US or urban areas). E-cigarettes were used as a quit resource by 75% of survivors reporting dual use of electronic and traditional cigarettes (95% CI 63%, 85%).

CONCLUSION

More than two-thirds of survivors currently using traditional cigarettes also use e-cigarettes. Higher use rates of e-cigarettes were reported among young cancer survivors compared to older survivors. Future studies are needed to assess the impact of e-cigarettes on long-term health and improve screening of smoking behaviors.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Our study provides an overview of the prevalence of e-cigarette use and sociodemographic risk factors associated with e-cigarette use among cancer survivors. The findings can assist providers in supporting attempts to quit among cancer survivors.

Adult Electronic Nicotine Delivery System Use in the USA: a Scoping Review Through a Health Equity Lens

Purpose of Review

The objective of this scoping review is to use a health equity lens to understand the extent and type of evidence that exists about the use of electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) based on socioecological understandings of health influences (i.e., the US National Institute of Minority Health and Health Disparities' (NIMHD) Research Framework). The research question guiding the review was as follows: What is the range and scope of research that exists to help characterize health disparities related to ENDS use?

Recent Findings

Ninety-eight articles published between 2019 and 2022 often examined racial/ethnic differences in ENDS use; however, other demographic characteristics, domains of influence across the life course, and levels of influence beyond individuals were rarely considered. As most studies were derived from large-scale, cross-sectional US national surveys, few longitudinal studies or intervention trials were published.

Summary

The use of the NIMHD framework to analyze recent literature helped identify research patterns and gaps that may be important to recognize for optimizing population health strategies to advance health equity. Future research on non-individual level factors influencing ENDS, interventions to effectively use ENDS for combustible cigarette cessation, and subpopulations susceptible to dual use may enhance existing science. Monitoring research using the NIMHD research framework can help researchers and policy makers to identify and when appropriate, prioritize support for overlooked but important research questions.

Use of electronic cigarettes among African American cancer survivors

BACKGROUND

The use of electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) is increasing rapidly in the United States, although the negative health outcomes associated with these products are still unknown. Emerging research has examined the use of e-cigarettes in the cancer survivor population as a whole, yet none has focused on e-cigarette use in the African American (AA) cancer survivor population.

METHODS

The authors used data from the Detroit Research on Cancer Survivors cohort study, comprised of AA adult cancer survivors. Logistic regression models were used to evaluate factors potentially associated with e-cigarette ever use and current use.

RESULTS

Of 4443 cancer survivors who completed a baseline interview, 8.3% (n = 370) reported ever using e-cigarettes, and 16.5% (n = 61) of those reporting ever use also reported current use of e-cigarettes. Ever users and current users were on average younger than those who did not use e-cigarettes (57.5 vs. 61.2 years; p < .001). Current cigarette smokers were >20 times more likely (odds ratio, 20.75; 95% confidence interval, 12.84-33.55) and former smokers were almost 10 times more likely (odds ratio, 9.50; 95% confidence interval, 6.03-14.97) to have ever used e-cigarettes than never-smokers. Preliminary data suggested that ever use of e-cigarettes is associated with later stage at diagnosis for breast and colorectal cancers.

CONCLUSIONS

As the use of e-cigarettes increases in the general population, it is important to continue to monitor their use in cancer survivors and to gain more insight as it pertains to the AA cancer survivor population. Elucidation of the factors associated with e-cigarette use in this population may help inform comprehensive cancer survivorship recommendations and interventions.

Perceptions and Patterns of Cigarette and E-Cigarette Use among Hispanics: A Heterogeneity Analysis of the 2017-2019 Health Information National Trends Survey

There are documented disparities in smoking behaviors among Hispanic adults in the U.S., but little is known about patterns of e-cigarette use. Using data from the HINTS 5 cycle 1-3, we examined cigarette and e-cigarette history and current use, as well as perceptions of the dangers of e-cigarette use relative to cigarette use. Primary predictors were Hispanic ethnic group, gender, age, education, income, and English language proficiency. Binary outcomes were modeled using the logit link, and multinomial outcome variables were modeled using generalized logit model. Fifty-three percent of participants were Mexican, 8% Puerto Rican, 4% were Cuban, and 35% identified as other Hispanics. Of the 1618 respondents, 23% were former cigarette smokers and 10% were current cigarette smokers. Twenty percent reported history of electronic cigarettes and 4% reported current use. In multivariable models, Hispanic women were significantly less likely to report ever being smokers compared to Hispanic men (aOR = 0.61, 95% CI = 0.42, 0.88). Puerto Ricans were 2.4 times as likely to report being current smokers (95% CI = 1.11, 5.11) compared to Mexicans. Among Hispanics, significant differences in e-cigarette and cigarette use behaviors emerged by gender, age, ethnicity, and cancer history, with implications for tailoring smoking prevention and cessation messages.