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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.