Cannabis use among cancer survivors in 22 states: Results from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2020

Abstract

Background This study identified factors associated with recent cannabis use and cannabis use for medical purposes among cancer survivors relative to individuals without a history of cancer. Methods Data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System were analyzed for the 22 states completing the optional cannabis module in 2020. Weighted multiple logistic regression was performed to explore variables associated with past 30‐day cannabis use and cannabis use for medical purposes, stratified by history of cancer. Covariates included state‐level cannabis policy, sociodemographic characteristics, health status indicators, and substance use. Results Cannabis use was lower among cancer survivors compared to individuals with no history of cancer (7.57% vs. 10.83%). However, a higher proportion of cancer survivors reported use for medical purposes (82.23% vs. 62.58%). After adjusting for state‐level policy, biological sex, age, educational attainment, self‐reported race/ethnicity, home ownership, mental health status and physical health status, current smoking (odds ratio [OR], 5.14 vs. 3.74) and binge drinking (OR, 2.71 vs. 2.69) were associated with cannabis use in both groups. Characteristics associated with medical cannabis use varied for the two groups; however, daily use (20–30 days; OR, 1.72 vs. 2.43) was associated with cannabis use for medical purposes in both groups after adjusting for other variables in the model. Conclusions A high proportion of individuals report cannabis use for medical purposes with higher rates among cancer survivors. Findings support the urgent need for ongoing cannabis research to better understand and inform its use for medical purposes, as well as the development of high‐quality standardized education materials and clinical practice guidelines.

Cannabis Use among Cancer Survivors: Use Pattern, Product Type, and Timing of Use

“…Nearly half of the participants reported having used cannabis at some point, aligning with findings from other NCI-designated cancer centers that indicate a high prevalence of cannabis use among cancer patients [18,32]. However, results from this study diverge from other population-based studies that typically report lower cannabis usage rates among cancer survivors [23,[33][34][35]. This discrepancy may be due to the underrepresentation of cancer survivors in population-based studies, underscoring the strength of this study, which included survivors from forty-one U.S. states.…”

“…Also, cancer survivors have different options for consuming cannabis, including inhalation (smoking or vaporizing), topical application, and oral ingestion [18,21]. Inhalation is the prevalent form of cannabis consumption among cancer survivors, increasing the risk of respiratory diseases in this population [23][24][25]. The ratio of THC to CBD varies for different cannabis products, which could affect their effective dosage and indications [15].…”