The problem of cigarette smoking in radiotherapy for cancer in the head and neck.

Smoking cigarettes during radiotherapy prolongs the period of reaction and may reduce the chance of cure. Of a group of 48 patients with advanced head and neck cancer 35 were smoking at the time of diagnosis, but 17 were persuaded to stop, although 7 relapsed later. Interviews conducted in 35 of the 48 patients revealed the problems which must be overcome if such patients are to cease smoking.