Using incentives to help cancer patients quit smoking

Contingency Management to Promote Smoking Abstinence in Cancer Patients

NIH-funded research Medical University of South Carolina · NIH-10879057

This study is looking at whether giving cancer patients cash rewards for not smoking can help them quit before surgery, and it will compare this method to regular support to see which works better.

Quick facts

Grant typeR01 grant
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionMedical University of South Carolina NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Charleston, United States)
Project IDNIH-10879057 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

This research investigates how contingency management, a behavioral intervention that rewards patients for abstaining from smoking, can help cancer patients quit smoking before surgery. The study involves providing monetary incentives to patients who demonstrate smoking cessation through breath tests. By comparing this approach to standard care, the research aims to determine the effectiveness of these incentives in promoting both short-term and long-term smoking abstinence among cancer patients.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates for this research are cancer patients who smoke and are preparing for surgery.

Not a fit: Patients who do not smoke or are not undergoing surgery for cancer may not benefit from this research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this research could significantly improve smoking cessation rates among cancer patients, leading to better surgical outcomes and overall health.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown promise for contingency management in smoking cessation, indicating potential for success in this approach.

Where this research is happening

Charleston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions American Association of Cancer Research
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.