Medical cannabis is now legal in 47 states and Washington, D.C., but a disconnect remains between cancer survivors using the substance to manage symptoms and the providers treating them. According to a study published in the Journal of Cancer Education, while survivors often turn to cannabis for pain, nausea, and anxiety, they frequently report feeling more comfortable discussing it than their healthcare providers feel initiating the conversation.
Communication Gaps in Cancer Care
Research from VCU Massey Comprehensive Cancer Center indicates a clear disparity in comfort levels regarding cannabis discussions. In a survey of 395 cancer survivors and 62 providers, 68.5% of survivors reported feeling comfortable discussing cannabis with their care team. Conversely, only 46.7% of providers felt comfortable bringing up the topic with their patients, according to study corresponding author Sunny Jung Kim, Ph.D., an associate professor at the VCU School of Public Health.
The research also highlighted a significant gap in risk awareness. Providers were notably more likely than survivors to report awareness of the potential risks associated with cannabis, at 25% compared to 8.4% for survivors.
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More than half (57.9%) of the cancer survivors who reported using cannabis had already started using it before their cancer diagnosis. Kim suggests this group may require more careful clinical attention, as prior use patterns could influence the risk of developing dependency or chronic use issues during treatment.
The Relationship Between Cannabis Use and Survivorship
The study found that cannabis-using survivors reported higher social well-being than non-users, yet they also reported lower physical and emotional well-being. Additionally, those who used cannabis were more likely to report mistrust in the healthcare system and lower overall use of healthcare services. The data showed that cannabis users in the study had higher rates of vaping, smoking, anxiety, and depression than non-users, though there was no difference between the groups regarding alcohol consumption, chronic pain, or sleep quality.
Interestingly, the legal status of cannabis in a survivor’s state did not influence their likelihood of use. For many, the drive to find alternatives to opioid-based care is the primary motivator. “People are seeking different approaches to avoid or reduce long-term opioid use, and cannabis is one of them,” said Kim.
Future Trends in Clinical Guidance
The current landscape of medical cannabis in oncology is hindered by a lack of standardized clinical guidelines. Kim advocates for the development of stronger clinical evidence to ensure the benefits of cannabis clearly outweigh the risks. To move beyond self-reported survey data, future research must incorporate longitudinal studies, biomarkers, and objective measures to determine the actual outcomes of cannabis use for cancer patients.
Establishing these standards would provide providers with the training and confidence necessary to recommend or discuss medical cannabis when appropriate. Until then, the research emphasizes that patient-provider communication remains the most vital tool in making informed, safe decisions about symptom management.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is medical cannabis? It refers to marijuana and its derivatives, such as concentrates or edibles, used to manage symptoms like pain, nausea, and anxiety associated with a medical condition.
- Why do providers report lower comfort in discussing cannabis? The study suggests that a lack of standardized clinical guidelines and training may contribute to provider hesitation compared to the willingness of patients to bring up the topic.
- Does state legality affect usage? According to the VCU Massey study, whether cannabis was legal in a participant’s state of residence did not appear to influence whether they used it.
Pro Tip: If you are a cancer survivor considering medical cannabis, bring a list of your current symptoms and any prior usage history to your next appointment. Open dialogue allows your care team to monitor for potential interactions or dependencies.
Have you or a loved one navigated the use of cannabis during cancer treatment? Share your thoughts in the comments below or subscribe to our newsletter for the latest updates on cancer survivorship research.
