CARES Tobacco Treatment Program
Quitting tobacco can improve your health and make cancer treatment easier.
The Markey CARES (Cancer-specific Assessment, Referral, Engagement and Support) Tobacco Treatment Program empowers you with the tools and support you need to quit tobacco and improve your well-being.
Markey CARES is a high-quality, evidence-based tobacco treatment program. It is backed by the research and expertise of the UK Markey Cancer Center, Kentucky’s National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. The program is for anyone receiving cancer care at Markey.
HOW WE
SUPPORT YOU
Your health is our top priority at Markey. We will regularly ask you about your tobacco use. We don’t do this to judge you. We do it to make sure we don’t miss a chance to offer you help and support.
Our program provides you with personalized resources and one-on-one support from trained specialists. We will work with you to create a plan that fits your life and your needs. We are here for you — whether you are just thinking about quitting or ready to take the next step.
WHAT ARE TOBACCO
PRODUCTS?
Tobacco includes a wide range of products, not just cigarettes. These products all contain nicotine and other harmful chemicals. All these products have a negative impact on your health:
- Combustible products: Cigarettes, cigars, cigarillos and pipes
- Smokeless products: Chewing tobacco, snuff, nicotine gels and dissolvable products
- Electronic products: E-cigarettes and vapes
THE BENEFITS OF
QUITTING TOBACCO
FOR CANCER PATIENTS
It is never too late to quit tobacco. Quitting can be hard, but there are many reasons for you to try to quit. We are here to help you be successful.
Quitting tobacco is one of the best things you can do for your health. It can help:
- Improve your quality of life
- Boost your body’s response to cancer treatment
- Make some treatments for your cancer more effective
- Lower your risk of cancer coming back
- Reduce your chances of getting a new cancer
- Increase your chances of surviving cancer
OUR SERVICES
The Markey CARES Tobacco Treatment Program includes a wide range of approaches to help you quit. As a Markey patient, you can expect:
- A simple screening program. Screening will help us determine your specific treatment needs.
- Personalized approaches to reduce tobacco use or quit completely. If you want help, a Markey tobacco treatment specialist will reach out to you to make a plan. They will design a plan that matches your wishes and feels comfortable for you.
- Individual counseling sessions. You can take part in sessions in-person or by phone. In some cases, you will not have a copay or any other cost.
- Medicine recommendations. Many providers at Markey – including oncologists, nurses and social workers – understand tobacco treatment medicines. We can give you advice about which treatments might be the best fit for you. We can also help get you a prescription when appropriate.
- Access to clinical trials. Our cancer researchers may have clinical trials testing new approaches to tobacco treatment. You may be able to take part if you are eligible and interested.
Questions?
To learn about treatment options, ask your cancer specialist or nurse or ask to speak with a Markey tobacco treatment specialist.
For providers
The founding director of the Markey CARES Tobacco Treatment Program is Jessica L. Burris, PhD. She is a professor of psychology and co-leader of the Cancer Prevention and Control Research Program. Reach out if you are a Markey clinician with questions about the program.
If you are a current or past smoker, lung cancer screening may be right for you. Learn more about the UK Lung Cancer Screening Program.
These resources may help you on your journey to quitting tobacco.
- Quit Now Kentucky provides guidance and support throughout the quitting process with free phone-based counselors and an online community. Enroll online or call 1-800-QUIT-NOW (1-800-748-8669).
- KY CancerLink provides free, in-person classes in the Lexington area to help you quit smoking. Call 859-309-1700.
- Smokefree.gov offers quitting advice and tools tailored to a variety of groups, including people 60 years or older, Spanish speakers, women and veterans.
- EX Program provides a new way to think about quitting. The program offers a quit plan based on experiences from ex-smokers.
- SmokefreeTXT offers trustworthy advice and support for quitting tobacco via text message. Text “MARKEY” to 47848 if you are a Markey Cancer Center patient and ready to quit tobacco now.
- QuitSTART APP provides 24/7 help on your smartphone. Download on the App Store (Apple) or Google Play (Android).
- The National Cancer Institute offers free, confidential information about quitting tobacco. Access online or call 1-877-44U-QUIT (1-877-448-7848).
- The American Cancer Society offers an online guide with information to empower you to talk with your healthcare team about quitting tobacco after a cancer diagnosis.
Launched by the NCI in 2017 as part of the Cancer MoonshotSM, the Cancer Center Cessation Initiative aims to advance tobacco cessation efforts in cancer centers across the country.
Hear from the initiative’s leaders and representatives as they share their mission and explain how they are helping people quit tobacco.
