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Adley NC, Brasky TM, Conroy SR, Newton AM, Plascak JJ, Strassels SA, Hays JL, Krok-Schoen JL. Associations of Cancer Patients' Demographic and Clinical Characteristics With Cannabis-Related Interest and Behaviors. J Palliat Med 2024; 27:394-399. [PMID: 38157334 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Background: Cannabis interest and use is increasing in the United States, yet research on its use among cancer patients is limited. Methods: Individuals with cancer completed an anonymous cross-sectional questionnaire. Multivariable logistic regressions estimated odds ratios (OR) between patients' demographic and clinical characteristics with cannabis-related interest, current use, and provider recommendation. Results: Participants (n = 943) were, on average, 61.7 years old. Older patients were less likely to use cannabis products (OR = 0.42, confidence interval [95% CI]: 0.26-0.69) and less likely to be interested in cannabis (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.44-0.84) than younger patients. Those with higher education were less likely to be using cannabis (OR = 0.41, 95% CI: 0.25-0.67) and less likely to have received a provider recommendation of cannabis use than the least educated (OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.19-0.76). Cancer spread and type were significant correlates of provider recommendation of cannabis use. Conclusions: Additional research is warranted to better understand cancer patients' motivations for cannabis use and interest.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neema C Adley
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Theodore M Brasky
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Sara R Conroy
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Alison M Newton
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Jesse J Plascak
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | | | - John L Hays
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
| | - Jessica L Krok-Schoen
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio, USA
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Brasky TM, Newton AM, Conroy S, Adib A, Adley NC, Strassels SA, Hays JL, Cooper ZD, Wagener TL, Stevens E, Plascak JJ, Krok-Schoen JL. Marijuana and Cannabidiol Use Prevalence and Symptom Management Among Patients with Cancer. CANCER RESEARCH COMMUNICATIONS 2023; 3:1917-1926. [PMID: 37772996 PMCID: PMC10515742 DOI: 10.1158/2767-9764.crc-23-0233] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/30/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023]
Abstract
Symptoms such as pain, nausea, and anxiety are common in individuals with cancer. Treatment of these issues is often challenging. Cannabis products may be helpful in reducing the severity of these symptoms. While some studies include data on the prevalence of cannabis use among patients with cancer, detailed data remain limited, and none have reported the prevalence of cannabidiol (CBD) use in this population. Adult patients with cancer attending eight clinics at a large, NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center completed a detailed, cannabis-focused questionnaire between 2021 and 2022. Eligible participants were diagnosed with invasive cancer and treated in the past 12 months. Summary statistics were calculated to describe the sample regarding cannabis use. Approximately 15% (n = 142) of consented patients (n = 934) reported current cannabis use (defined as use within the past 12 months). Among which, 75% reported cannabis use in the past week. Among current cannabis users, 39% (n = 56; 6% overall) used CBD products. Current users reported using cannabis a median of 4.5 (interquartile range: 0.6–7.0) days/week, 2.0 (1.0–3.0) times per use/day, and for 3 years (0.8–30.0). Use patterns varied by route of administration. Patients reported moderate to high relief of symptoms with cannabis use. This study is the most detailed to date in terms of cannabis measurement and provides information about the current state of cannabis use in active cancer. Future studies should include complete assessments of cannabis product use, multiple recruitment sites, and diverse patient populations. SIGNIFICANCE Clinicians should be aware that patients are using cannabis products and perceive symptom relief with its use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theodore M. Brasky
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Alison M. Newton
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Sara Conroy
- Center for Biostatistics, Department of Biomedical Informatics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Anita Adib
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Neema C. Adley
- Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences, Columbus, Ohio
| | | | - John L. Hays
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Ziva D. Cooper
- UCLA Center for Cannabis and Cannabinoids, Jane and Terry Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, University of California, Los Angeles, California
- Department of Anesthesiology and Perioperative Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, California
| | - Theodore L. Wagener
- Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Erin Stevens
- Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine; Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jesse J. Plascak
- Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jessica L. Krok-Schoen
- School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
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