Hollings doctor wins award for work in tobacco control and smoking cessation

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center researcher Graham Warren, M.D., Ph.D., received the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer’s Lectureship Award for Tobacco Control and Smoking Cessation.

As part of the award, Warren gave a presentation at the IASLC virtual worldwide event on tobacco control efforts  titled “When analyzing meaningful progress, we can’t ignore the obvious.”

Warren said he was grateful for the honor and opportunity. “Addressing tobacco use in cancer care is a tremendous opportunity for us to improve cancer treatment outcomes as well as improve other health conditions, such as heart disease, stroke, pulmonary disease and quality of life for our patients,” said Warren, a radiation oncologist at MUSC Health and the Mary Gilbreth Endowed Chair of Clinical Oncology. 

“Recognition of the importance of this issue by the International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer is an excellent springboard to help to disseminate knowledge necessary to implement change. I’m extremely appreciative for the chance to highlight progress in hopes that patients, providers and health systems pivot toward lasting improvements in patient care and recognize that addressing tobacco use is an essential component of cancer care.”

The award further highlights the robust smoking cessation efforts and Tobacco Control Program at Hollings, which are critically important given the high tobacco use in South Carolina. “As prevalent as tobacco is in South Carolina, Hollings has a responsibility as the state’s only NCI-designated cancer center to educate patients and help them to quit.”

In addition to his roles at Hollings, Warren serves as an expert advisor for the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer and works with the National Institutes of Health to improve cessation services at cancer centers across the country.

“We know there is a direct relation between tobacco use and cancer. We also know tobacco can make cancer treatments less effective. We need to do all we can to help our patients have the best outcomes possible. That’s why I’m humbled to receive an award like this that recognizes our efforts at Hollings.”

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