26% of Cancer Patients Used Cannabis, Reporting Benefits for Sleep, Nausea, and Pain Despite Feeling Worse Overall | Research

The takeaway

Among 267 adults undergoing cancer treatment, 26% used cannabis in the past 30 days, most commonly for pain, sleep, anxiety, and nausea, but cannabis users actually reported worse overall symptoms despite perceiving cannabis as helpful.

Cancer patients considering cannabis and oncologists advising on supportive care

26% used cannabis during treatment

What the researchers found

Cannabis users most commonly used edibles (65%) or smoked (51%). Top medical reasons were pain, cancer itself, sleep, anxiety, nausea/vomiting, and poor appetite. Greatest perceived symptom relief was for sleep, nausea, headaches, pain, muscle spasms, and anxiety. However, cannabis users reported more severe overall symptoms and were more likely to be male, Black, disabled, lower income, and on Medicaid.

Why it matters

Cancer patients are using cannabis for symptom management, but the paradox that users feel worse overall suggests either that sicker patients turn to cannabis or that cannabis provides targeted symptom relief without improving global well-being. Either way, clinicians need to understand this dynamic.

The numbers in context

267 participants; 26% past 30-day use; 4.5% screened positive for CUD; 65% used edibles; 51% smoked; greatest relief for sleep, nausea, headaches, pain; users had worse overall symptoms

How the study worked

Cross-sectional survey of 267 adults undergoing cancer treatment at an NCI-designated cancer center. Compared demographics, symptoms, cannabis use patterns, perceived benefits, and risk perceptions between past 30-day cannabis users and non-users.

What this study cannot tell us

Cross-sectional design cannot determine whether cannabis use preceded or followed symptom severity. Selection bias: sicker patients may be more motivated to try cannabis. Self-reported perceived benefits may not reflect objective improvements. Single cancer center limits generalizability.

How to read the evidence

Cross-sectional survey at an NCI center, but cannot determine causation and subject to selection bias

When this study was published

2023 study

The bigger picture

As more cancer patients explore cannabis, oncologists need guidance on what to tell them. This study suggests cannabis may help specific symptoms but does not appear to improve overall symptom burden, which tempers enthusiasm while still supporting targeted use.

Questions still open

Does cannabis actually improve specific symptoms or do patients perceive improvement due to expectation? Would randomized trials show the same symptom-specific benefits? Should oncologists proactively discuss cannabis or wait for patients to ask?

Common questions

Does cannabis help cancer patients feel better?

Patients reported cannabis helped specific symptoms like sleep, nausea, and pain. However, cannabis users actually reported worse overall symptoms than non-users, suggesting cannabis may provide targeted relief without improving general well-being.

How are cancer patients using cannabis?

Most commonly as edibles (65%) or smoked (51%). The top reasons were pain, the cancer itself, sleep problems, anxiety, and nausea/vomiting.

Read the original research

Cannabis use among adults undergoing cancer treatment.

Cancer, 129(21), 3498-3508

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Azizoddin, Desiree R; Cohn, Amy M; Ulahannan, Susanna V; Henson, Christina E; Alexander, Adam C; Moore, Kathleen N; Holman, Laura L; Boozary, Laili Kharazi; Sifat, Munjireen S; Kendzor, Darla E. (2023). Cannabis use among adults undergoing cancer treatment.. Cancer, 129(21), 3498-3508. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.34922