A Coala‐T‐Cannabis Survey Study of breast cancer patients' use of cannabis before, during, and after treatment

Abstract

BACKGROUND:The goal of this study was to characterize cannabis use among patients with breast cancer, including their reasons for and timing of use, their sources of cannabis information and products, their satisfaction with the information found, their perceptions of its safety, and their dialogue about cannabis with their physicians. METHODS: United States-based members of the Breastcancer.org and Healthline.com communities with a self-reported diagnosis of breast cancer within 5 years (age ≥ 18 years) were invited to participate in an anonymous online survey. After informed consent was obtained, nonidentifiable data were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: Of all participants (n = 612), 42% (n = 257) reported using cannabis for relief of symptoms, which included pain (78%), insomnia (70%), anxiety (57%), stress (51%), and nausea/vomiting (46%). Furthermore, 49% of cannabis users believed that medical cannabis could be used to treat cancer itself. Of those taking cannabis, 79% had used it during treatment, which included systemic therapies, radiation, and surgery. At the same time, few (39%) had discussed it with any of their physicians. CONCLUSIONS: A significant percentage of survey participants (42%) used cannabis to address symptoms; approximately half of these participants believed that cannabis could treat cancer itself. Most participants used cannabis during active cancer treatment despite the potential for an adverse event during this vulnerable time. Furthermore, most participants believed that cannabis was safe and were unaware that product quality varied widely and depended on the source. This study reviews the research on medicinal cannabis in the setting of these findings to help physicians to recognize its risks and benefits for patients with cancer.

Cannabidiol (CBD) in Cancer Management

“…The online survey of breast cancer sufferers in the US mentioned previously found that the majority of patients (61%) did not discuss cannabis use with their doctor. This survey also revealed that the internet and family/friends were the most common sources of information about cannabis [ 2 ].…”

“…Of those using cannabis, 79% had used it during treatment (systemic therapies, radiation, surgery) [2].…”

“…An anonymous online survey of 612 US-based members of the Breastcancer.org and Healthline.com communities with a self-reported diagnosis of breast cancer within 5 years found that 42% used cannabis for relief of symptoms (including pain (78%), insomnia (70%), anxiety (57%), stress (51%) and nausea/vomiting (46%)) with 46% of the belief that cannabis can treat the cancer itself. Of those using cannabis, 79% had used it during treatment (systemic therapies, radiation, surgery) [ 2 ].…”

Reply to the siren's song of anonymous web‐based sampling

“…In their letter to the editor, Brasky et al highlight potential selection bias as an important limitation to online convenience sampling. As we acknowledge in our article, 1 online survey study designs do carry inherent limitations. However, they carry key advantages as well and present a valid opportunity to contribute meaningful, complementary patient‐reported data to the literature on medical cannabis use among patients with breast cancer, as our study has.…”

The siren's song of anonymous web‐based sampling

“…[13][14][15] There remains a significant need for high-quality research examining the use of cannabis-based products beyond "current" or "ever" use in patients with cancer. Almost no study, including this one, 1 has comprehensively examined the use of such products by assessing the frequency, intensity, duration, and dose in people with cancer. Nor have prior studies satisfactorily examined the full complement of cannabis-based products available in a swiftly growing market.…”