Medical Marijuana Use for Cancer-Related Symptoms among Floridians: A Descriptive Study

Tofthagen, Cindy; Advani, Pooja; Ernst, Brenda; Kaur, Judith S.; Tan, Winston; Sheffield, Katharine; Crump, John A.; Henry, Joshua A.; Starr, Jason S.

doi:10.1089/jpm.2022.0100

Cited by 6 publications

(16 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Although our findings parallel other studies of cannabis use to relieve cancer‐related symptoms, 5,27,29,30,40,45 we also identified that those who used cannabis in the past 30 days had significantly worse symptom profiles overall than those who did not use cannabis. Participants who used cannabis reported more severe symptoms of depression and anxiety, poorer social functioning, greater psychological distress, and greater physical symptoms, including nausea, lack of appetite, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and pain interference/intensity.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

“…Consistent with previous research, 5,[27][28][29][30] cannabis was perceived to be most effective for treating sleep problems, nausea/vomiting, headaches, pain, muscle spasms, and anxiety. Also consistent with the literature, 31,32 participants who used cannabis in the past 30 days perceived cannabis to be less harmful overall and compared to other substances than those who did not use cannabis.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…In order of frequency, participants were most likely to use cannabis for pain, cancer (in general), sleep problems, anxiety, nausea/vomiting, poor appetite/weight loss, and depression. Consistent with previous research, 5,27–30 cannabis was perceived to be most effective for treating sleep problems, nausea/vomiting, headaches, pain, muscle spasms, and anxiety. Also consistent with the literature, 31,32 participants who used cannabis in the past 30 days perceived cannabis to be less harmful overall and compared to other substances than those who did not use cannabis.…”

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

“…Because this study was cross‐sectional, we cannot determine whether participants who used cannabis had significantly worse symptoms at the outset, which may have prompted cannabis use, or whether cannabis use may have exacerbated their symptoms. Previous studies have noted worsening of symptoms or adverse events (e.g., falls, emergency department visits, and suicidality) with cannabis use 14,30,35,46,47 …”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Cannabis use among adults undergoing cancer treatment

Azizoddin

Cohn

Ulahannan

et al. 2023

Cancer

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BackgroundLittle is known about the risks and benefits of cannabis use in the context of cancer care. This study characterized the prevalence, reasons for use, and perceived benefits of cannabis and compared symptoms and perceived risks between those who reported past 30‐day cannabis use and those who did not.MethodsAdults undergoing cancer treatment at a National Cancer Institute–designated cancer center completed measures of sociodemographic characteristics, cannabis use, use modalities, reasons for use, perceived harms/benefits of use, physical and psychological symptoms, and other substance/medication use. Analyses compared patients who used or did not use cannabis in the past 30 days.ResultsParticipants (N = 267) were 58 years old on average, primarily female (70%), and predominantly White (88%). Over a quarter of respondents (26%) reported past 30‐day cannabis use, and among those, 4.5% screened positive for cannabis use disorder. Participants who used cannabis most often used edibles (65%) or smoked cannabis (51%), and they were younger and more likely to be male, Black, and disabled, and to have lower income and Medicaid insurance than participants who did not use cannabis. Those who used cannabis reported more severe symptoms and perceived cannabis as less harmful than those who did not use cannabis. The most common medical reasons for cannabis use were pain, cancer, sleep problems, anxiety, nausea/vomiting, and poor appetite. Participants reported the greatest cannabis‐related symptom relief from sleep problems, nausea/vomiting, headaches, pain, muscle spasms, and anxiety.ConclusionsPatients with cancer who used cannabis perceived benefits for many symptoms, although they showed worse overall symptomatology.Plain language summary Among adults undergoing cancer treatment, 26% reported cannabis use in the past 30 days. Those who used cannabis were more likely to be male and disabled and to have lower income and Medicaid insurance than those who did not use cannabis. Participants most commonly reported using cannabis for pain, cancer, sleep, anxiety, and nausea/vomiting and reported the greatest perceived benefits for sleep, nausea/vomiting, headaches, pain, muscle spasms, and anxiety, yet participants who used cannabis also reported feeling worse physically and psychologically compared to those who did not use cannabis. Participants who used cannabis were more likely to report that cannabis was less risky to their health than alcohol, smoking, and opioids than those who did not use cannabis.

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Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 86%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 82%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

Cannabis use among adults undergoing cancer treatment

Azizoddin

Cohn

Ulahannan

et al. 2023

Cancer

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“…Similarly, a sample of cancer patients who used medical marijuana in Florida, where medical and recreational cannabis use is legalized, reported a lack of support from their medical team, and researchers recommended better communication between patients, medical marijuana certifiers, and medical oncologists. 20 The Decision to Use Cannabis during Pregnancy and Interpersonal Influences on this Choice…”

Section: Interpersonal Influences On Medical Use Of Cannabismentioning

confidence: 99%

Interpersonal Influences on the Choice to Treat Nausea during Pregnancy with Medication or Cannabis

Mercer,

MacDuffie,

Weiss

et al. 2023

Am J Perinatol

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Objective To better understand the interpersonal influences on a pregnant individual’s decision of how to treat nausea and vomiting during pregnancy using a qualitative approach. Study design A semi-structured interview guide was developed to assess pregnancy symptoms, decision-making regarding treating nausea, and interpersonal influences on treatment decisions. Interviews were conducted with 17 individuals enrolled in a neuroimaging and behavioral study of prenatal exposure to cannabis who used medication and/or cannabis to treat symptoms associated with pregnancy. Results Interviews revealed four groups of stakeholders who influenced participant decision-making: medical providers, partners, family, and friends. Influence was categorized as either positive, negative, neutral, or absent (if not discussed or participant chose not to disclose). Those in the medication group reported only positive or neutral feedback from friends, family, partners, and providers. In contrast, the cannabis group participants reported positive feedback from friends, mixed feedback from family and partners, and negative feedback from providers which was often felt to be stigmatizing. Many in the cannabis group also reported varying feedback from different medical providers. While the cannabis group frequently reported eliciting feedback from friends, family, and partners, the medication group often did not. Conclusion Medication group participants reported entirely positive feedback from providers, and often did not mention any feedback at all from partners, family, and friends. Cannabis group participants reported much more varied feedback, both positive and negative, from a variety of interpersonal contacts and sometimes decided to conceal their treatment choice after receiving or fearing negative feedback. We recommend further research into the health outcomes of pregnant patients who chose not to discuss their treatment decisions with providers, family, partners, or friends. We also suggest further study of possible reasons behind a lack of disclosure, including fear of stigma and/or legal consequences.

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