Quit Tobacco with Support
Personalized help from licensed clinical social workers, right here in your cancer care team.
At New England Cancer Specialists, we understand that quitting tobacco is hard—especially when you’re also facing cancer. That’s why we offer CPAHA Tobacco Services, a specialized program designed to help you stop using tobacco with compassionate, expert support from our licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs).
Whether you’re ready to quit today or just starting to think about it, we meet you where you are—with no judgment, only support.
What is CPAHA?
CPAHA stands for Cancer Patient and High-risk Assessment—a program that identifies patients who use tobacco and provides evidence-based, personalized support to help them quit. Our LCSWs are trained in tobacco cessation and work directly with your cancer care team to make sure your quit plan fits into your overall treatment goals.
Why Quitting Tobacco Matters
Even after a cancer diagnosis, quitting tobacco can:
- Improve how well your cancer treatment works
- Reduce treatment side effects and complications
- Help wounds heal better after surgery
- Lower the risk of cancer recurrence or new cancers
- Boost your energy, breathing, and quality of life
It’s never too late to quit—and every step toward quitting counts.
What to Expect from CPAHA Services
Our CPAHA tobacco program is:
- Individualized
Your LCSW will help build a plan that fits your goals, health needs, and readiness to quit.
- Supportive
No pressure. No guilt. Just tools, education, and encouragement to help you succeed.
- Integrated
We work alongside your oncology team so that quitting tobacco is part of your overall treatment and wellness plan.
- Evidence-based
We use proven strategies including behavioral counseling, motivational interviewing, and connection to medical therapies like nicotine replacement or medications (prescribed through your provider if appropriate).
Frequently Asked Questions
Is this program only for patients who are ready to quit now?
Not at all. Whether you’re thinking about quitting or have tried before, CPAHA is designed to support you at any stage of readiness.
Who provides the tobacco cessation support?
Our licensed clinical social workers (LCSWs), who are part of your cancer care team and trained in tobacco cessation counseling.
Is this service free?
Yes. CPAHA services are available to NECS patients at no additional cost as part of your overall care.
Will quitting tobacco affect my cancer treatment?
Yes—in the best ways. Quitting tobacco improves how well many cancer treatments work and reduces the risk of complications, recurrence, and secondary cancers.
What if I’ve tried to quit before and it didn’t work?
That’s completely okay. Most people try more than once before quitting for good. Our team will help you learn from past attempts and build a plan that works better for you now.
Quitting tobacco is one of the best things you can do for your health, and we’re here to help you every step of the way. Our CPAHA-trained LCSWs will support you with kindness, respect, and the tools you need to move forward.
