Patient and clinician perspectives about cannabis use while receiving cancer treatment at a comprehensive cancer center (CCC).
Authors: Lee Richard T. , Mendiratta Prateek , Farrell Megan , Finklea Shalena , Trapl Erika , Rao Santosh Keshay , Gerson Stanton L. , Cullen Jennifer 
Published: June 2023

e24169

Background: Cannabis is gaining popularity worldwide including in the United States with 37 states legalizing access to cannabis. Limited data exist regarding why patients are using cannabis while receiving anticancer treatments. Methods: Patients with cancer who received treatment at a National Cancer Institute (NCI) designated CCC were approached from August of 2021 to August of 2022 to participate in a cross-sectional survey as part of a national NCI-funded effort. Consenting patients completed a survey during a medical visit asking about cannabis use (past and present), reason for use (including if cancer-related), type of cannabis, and frequency of use. A follow-up phone call occurred within 30 days to confirm medications used, and to collect further details about cannabis use, if reported. A healthcare provider survey was also conducted to explore perspectives regarding patients’ use of cannabis during active treatment. Results: A total of 315 cancer patients completed the survey (43% response rate) with a median age of 60.7 (±12.8), 58% female, and a variety of cancer types (hematologic 21.3%, breast 17%, gastrointestinal 11.7%, lung 10.2%). The respondents were of a diverse racial/ethnic backgrounds (White 61.6%, Black 22.5%, Other 7.3%), education (high school 27%, college 42.5%, post-graduate 14.9%), and employment status (retired 35.2%, employed 25.7%, unemployed or disabled 21.9%). Among respondents, nearly half (48.4%) had used cannabis before, one-third (32.1%) had used cannabis since their cancer diagnosis, and almost one in five (18.5%) were currently using cannabis. Among current or past users of cannabis the forms used were smoked (31%), gummy (29%), liquid (19%), edible (7%), and pill (6%). The most common reported reasons for use by respondents were insomnia (79%), pain (72%), mood (68%), poor appetite (68%), and gastrointestinal symptoms (51%). For the clinician survey, a total of 165 completed surveys (25% response rate) were received. Approximately half of respondents were nurses (54% nurses, 22% advance practice providers, and 21% physicians) and of White race (73%) with a mean age of 46 years. Approximately one-fourth (24%) reported discussing the topic of cannabis and about half of these conversations (45%) were initiated by the respondent. The healthcare providers estimated 10% of patients with cancer overall were using cannabis and that one in four patients (23%) were using cannabis during cancer treatment. Four in ten (39%) clinicians felt comfortable in providing guidance to patients about cannabis use, and only one in eight (13%) felt knowledgeable about the topic of cannabis. Conclusions: Approximately one-fifth of patients with cancer receiving treatment are actively using cannabis, despite limited data regarding the efficacy of cannabis. Management of cancer symptoms were among key reasons that cancer patients used cannabis.