Northwest Territories
Smoking cessation in cancer care
Access to smoking cessation supports in cancer care settings in 2022-23
- The Medical Oncology Clinic and Chemotherapy Unit at Stanton Territorial Hospital* offer people with cancer in-person support to quit smoking, including culturally appropriate supports for First Nations, Inuit and Métis with cancer. The Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority Cancer Navigation Program also offers in-person and virtual support to quit smoking.
- People with cancer are asked about their commercial tobacco use at regular intervals, using a standard tool. People who are interested can receive a prescription for a smoking cessation medication and information about the NWT Help Line. Stanton Territorial Hospital is working to systematize the identification of people who use commercial tobacco and the supports they are provided.
- People registered with the federal Non-Insured Health Benefits Program (NIHB) are eligible to receive free smoking cessation medications, as are people registered with the NWT Métis Health Benefits Program. Residents not covered under any other benefit program can receive free smoking cessation medications through the Health Services Administration Office.
Smoking cessation in cancer care implementation level in 2022-23: SILVER
| Quality dimension | Implementation criteria met | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Behavioural counselling | Offers 3A (Ask, Advise, Act) or 5A (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange) model | BRONZE |
| Pharmacotherapy | Offers free varenicline, bupropion and/or nicotine replacement therapy | GOLD |
| Person-centred | Assessing the availability of a patient representative to participate in program planning | PRE-IMPLEMENTATION |
| Culturally competent | Staff cultural competency training is required, resources for people with cancer are available, and smoking cessation interventions incorporate culturally safe approaches | GOLD |
| Partnership | Determining the availability of smoking treatment expertise | PRE-IMPLEMENTATION |
| Indicator measurement and reporting | Developing tools and infrastructure to track program performance and collect data | PRE-IMPLEMENTATION |
Impact of funded project (2021-23)
- After a delay due to COVID-19, the Northwest Territories project began in earnest in 2021. Building on a previously funded planning project, funding and support enabled the Government of Northwest Territories to work with the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) to provide a course on tobacco cessation to 50 healthcare providers, including all chemotherapy unit staff at Stanton Territorial Hospital. In-person, First Nations-specific training was also delivered through CAMH to Community Health Representatives.
- The government adapted educational materials on culturally safe smoking cessation for healthcare providers and people with cancer. It also collaborated with the Northwest Territories Health and Social Services Authority to add smoking cessation medications to the Northwest Territories Health Centre Formulary and allow nurses to administer the first two weeks of treatment, resulting in better access to these medications for communities.
*Most people the Northwest Territories that require cancer care go to the Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife and/or the Cross Cancer Institute in Edmonton, Alberta.