Abstract
A comprehensive assessment of cannabis use by patients with cancer has not previously been reported. In this study, we aimed to characterize patient perspectives about cannabis and its use. An anonymous survey about cannabis use was offered to patients 18 years of age and older attending 2 comprehensive and 2 community cancer centres, comprising an entire provincial health care jurisdiction in Canada (ethics id: hreba-17011). Of 3138 surveys distributed, 2040 surveys were returned (65%), with 1987 being sufficiently complete for analysis (response rate: 63%). Of the respondents, 812 (41%) were less than 60 years of age; 45% identified as male, and 55% as female; and 44% had completed college or higher education.Of respondents overall, 43% reported any lifetime cannabis use. That finding was independent of age, sex, education level, and cancer histology. Cannabis was acquired through friends (80%), regulated medical dispensaries (10%), and other means (6%). Of patients with any use, 81% had used dried leaves.Of the 356 patients who reported cannabis use within the 6 months preceding the survey (18% of respondents with sufficiently complete surveys), 36% were new users. Their reasons for use included cancer-related pain (46%), nausea (34%), other cancer symptoms (31%), and non-cancer-related reasons (56%). The survey demonstrated that prior cannabis use was widespread among patients with cancer (43%). One in eight respondents identified at least 1 cancer-related symptom for which they were using cannabis.
Highlights
The frequency of cannabis use in cancer patient populations is not well-established
Cannabis was acquired through friends (80%), regulated medical dispensaries (10%), and other means (6%)
The survey demonstrated that prior cannabis use was widespread among patients with cancer (43%)
Summary
The frequency of cannabis use in cancer patient populations is not well-established. Cannabis is more commonly authorized for patients who have experience of previous use. It can be authorized for a variety of medical conditions[3]. Patients without authorization often acquire it by other means and use it either recreationally or for a variety of claimed medical benefits despite clinical trial data demonstrating efficacy or safety for smoked cannabis being limited[5,6]. A comprehensive assessment of cannabis use by patients with cancer has not previously been reported. We aimed to characterize patient perspectives about cannabis and its use
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