Analyzing Smoking Challenges in Bladder Cancer Patients From an Online Forum: A Contemporary Qualitative Study of Peer Support and Cessation Motivators.

Abstract

Background: Motivators and barriers to smoking cessation among bladder cancer (BC) survivors remain largely understudied. A novel approach to exploring these challenges is through analyzing user discourse on internet forums, which offer valuable insights into patients' lived experiences.

Objective: To qualitatively examine smoking cessation in former and current smokers with connections to BC using Reddit.

Methods: All posts on the subreddit "r/stopsmoking" was queried for "bladder cancer" and its MeSH terms. Threads with anecdotal experiences on BC and smoking were included for analysis. Grounded theory was used to inductively analyze the original posts. Two independent reviewers arranged original posts into individual excerpts to identified preliminary themes. These categories were refined to derive resultant concepts.

Results: 145 total discussions (17 BC original posts by former and current smokers and 128 reponses) were included. Grounded theory identified 4 themes: coping with BC, fluctuating motivators, resilience and determination amidst smoking relapse, emotional release. Three resultant concepts were formed: BC impacts quality of life, BC experience serves as a motivator for smoking cessation, and successful smoking cessation relies on a robust support network.

Conclusions: This study unveils BC experiences without judgment apprehension. The diagnosis of BC and patients' shared experiences may serve as catalysts to quit smoking. These themes and concepts on BC's impact on smoking can assist clinicians to have tailored cessation discussions.