The survey surveyed cannabis patients nationwide about their use and perceptions of cannabis use during cancer treatment.
In a recently published study, researchers aimed to assess how people undergoing cancer treatment in the United States access and use cannabis, how they perceive its effects, and what discussions they have with their health care providers about cannabis use during treatment. The study, titled “Overview of Cancer Patients' Perspectives on Cannabis Use During Treatment,” was published in JNCI Monographs in August 2024. The findings were intended to help guide future research into the potential benefits, harms, and interactions of treatment for cancer patients.
For this study, the National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated 12 cancer centers across the United States as sites for patient surveys. As stated in the summary, survey questions focused on topics such as:
Costs associated with procuring cannabis; Behavioral factors associated with cannabis use (e.g., smoking, drinking alcohol, and use of other substances); Patient-provider communication regarding cannabis use during treatment
Researchers examined survey results from all 12 locations. A total of 13,180 completed surveys were received, for an overall response rate of 19%. Notable findings included:
Approximately 33% reported using cannabis (both before and after diagnosis), 6.3% reported using cannabis only since their cancer diagnosis, while 38.4% reported never using cannabis. Those who had previously used cannabis were more likely to use after diagnosis.
Respondents, both cannabis users and non-users, reported perceiving benefits of cannabis use for pain, stress, anxiety, or depression, while cannabis users reported using cannabis for sleep, pain, and mood changes. The most common methods of consumption were smoking, adding to food, and taking orally, such as in tablets or tinctures.
The results indicated that further research is needed on the safe use of cannabis for cancer patients and cancer survivors. Notably, all respondents, including non-users and those living in states where cannabis is illegal, perceived the benefits of cannabis use to outweigh the risks. Furthermore, few patients reported discussing cannabis use with their health care providers. “While our survey results may not represent the true prevalence due to the low response rate, they highlight that a significant proportion of cancer patients use cannabis during treatment to manage side effects of both cancer and its treatment,” the researchers said. “This is true even in areas where cannabis products are not legally available or recommended by health care providers.”
reference
Helzlsouer, KJ.; Rosenfield, SM.; Freedman, AN.; Ellison, GL. Overview of cancer patients' perspectives on cannabis use during treatment. JNCI Monographs. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1093/jncimonographs/lgae025
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