Dr. Mullett Joins Cancer Moonshot Forum

CoC Chair Timothy W. Mullett, MD, MBA, FACS, recently participated in a forum hosted by the White House focused on expanding equitable access to smoking cessation programs. The event was part of President Biden’s Cancer Moonshot initiative, which includes efforts to reduce the burden of preventable cancers, including tobacco-related cancers.

“I’m grateful that smoking cessation is an essential part of the Cancer Moonshot discussion because it is essential that we raise awareness about this issue,” Dr. Mullett said. “All of us physicians need to be having more frank conversations with our patients about smoking cessation. It can not only reduce the risk of getting cancer, but it can also reduce the risk of dying from other smoking-related illnesses that may occur during or after cancer treatment.”

ACS Cancer Programs has launched a series of national QI initiatives to address smoking status and cessation. The 2022 Just ASK QI project and clinical study focused on leveraging existing resources, by asking all newly diagnosed cancer patients about their smoking status. The 2023 Beyond ASK QI project is seeking to build the capacity of participating programs to offer cessation assistance to newly diagnosed cancer patients.