ASPO Abstracts
Perceived benefits and harms of cannabis use among cancer patients treated at an NCI-designated cancer center
Category: Cancer Health Disparities
Conference Year: 2023
Abstract Body:
Background: In the US, cannabis use is growing into a clinical oncology research priority due to its increasingly widespread use among cancer patients. Our objective was to characterize perceived benefits and harms of cannabis use in this population. Methods: Adult cancer patients who received care between July 2017 and December 2019 at an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center in Florida were invited to participate in a survey on their use of, and attitudes toward cannabis during cancer treatment. Participants completed the self-administered online survey between August to November 2021. Of the 9,043 patients invited to participate,1,586 completed the survey (response rate: 17.6%). Results: Overall, about half of respondents were women (52%) and the majority was over the age of 55 (76%), non-Hispanic White (88%), and diagnosed with early (i.e., Stage I or II) cancer (61%). The most common cancer diagnoses were breast (15%), lung/bronchus (10%), and prostate (7%). A total of 744 (47%) respondents reported using cannabis at any time since their cancer diagnosis. Overall, 96% of the sample reported perceived benefits of cannabis use and 53% reported perceived risks. Cannabis users were more likely than nonusers to indicate relief of stress, anxiety or depression (90% vs. 80%, p<0.001), improved sleep (84% vs. 55%, p<0.001), relief of nausea or vomiting (59% vs. 44%, p<0.001), increased appetite (66% vs. 49%, p<0.001), increased energy or reduced fatigue (25% vs.14%, p<0.001), and decreased use of other medications (50% vs. 33%, p<0.001) as perceived benefits of cannabis. Cannabis users were less likely than nonusers to report impaired memory (34% vs. 44%, p=0.003), difficulty concentrating (33% vs. 50%, p<0.001), addiction to cannabis (22% vs. 44%, p<0.001), increased use of other prescribed medications (1% vs. 6%, p<0.001) and illicit substances other than cannabis (6% vs. 23%, p<0.001), and increased risk of cancer (3% vs. 9%, p<0.001) or other diseases (2% vs. 6%, p<0.001) as perceived risks. Cannabis users were more likely than nonusers to report lung damage as a perceived risk (48% vs. 42%, p=0.081). Conclusion: Regardless of self-reported cannabis use, large numbers of patients perceived one or more benefits, while fewer reported perceived risks.
Keywords: Risks, benefits, cannabis, marijuana, cancer