Current cannabis use and pain management among US cancer patients
Jessica L Krok-Schoen 1, Jesse J Plascak 2, Alison M Newton 3, Scott A Strassels 4, Anita Adib 2, Neema C Adley 5, John L Hays 3, Theodore L Wagener 3, Erin E Stevens 6, Theodore M Brasky 7
- 1School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
- 2Division of Cancer Prevention and Control, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
- 3Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine-James Comprehensive Cancer Center, 420 W. 12th Ave., Suite 514B TRF, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA.
- 4Atrium Health, Charlotte, NC, USA.
- 5Department of Neuroscience, The Ohio State University College of Arts and Sciences, Columbus, OH, USA.
- 6Department of Internal Medicine, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, OH, USA.
- 7Division of Medical Oncology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine-James Comprehensive Cancer Center, 420 W. 12th Ave., Suite 514B TRF, Columbus, OH, 43210, USA. Theodore.Brasky@osumc.edu.
Affiliationer
Background: National studies reporting the prevalence of cannabis use have focused on individuals with a history of cancer without distinction by their treatment status, which can impact symptom burden. While pain is a primary motivation to use cannabis in cancer, the magnitude of its association with cannabis use remains understudied.
Methods: We examined cannabis use and pain management among 5523 respondents of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System with a cancer history. Survey-weighted prevalence proportions of respondents’ cannabis use are reported, stratified on cancer treatment status. Regression models estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of cancer-related pain and cannabis use.
Results: Cannabis use was slightly more prevalent in those undergoing active treatment relative to those who were not undergoing active treatment (9.3% vs. 6.2%; P=0.05). Those under active treatment were more likely to use cannabis medicinally (71.6% vs. 50.0%; P=0.03). Relative to those without cancer-related pain, persons with pain under medical control (OR 2.1, 95% CI, 1.4-3.2) or uncontrolled pain were twice as likely to use cannabis (OR 2.0, 95% CI, 1.1-3.5).
Conclusions: Use of cannabis among cancer patients may be related to their treatment and is positively associated with cancer-related pain. Future research should investigate the associations of cannabis use, symptom burden, and treatment regimens across the treatment spectrum to facilitate interventions.
Keywords: Cancer; Cannabis; Epidemiology; Marijuana; Prevalence.
