Cancer Patients in Disadvantaged Areas Were More Likely to Use Cannabis and Opioids
Among 854 Ohio cancer patients, those living in areas of higher social disadvantage had higher rates of both cannabis use (19% vs. 13%) and opioid use (30% vs. 21%) compared to less disadvantaged areas.
Quick Facts
What This Study Found
Cannabis use prevalence was 19% in higher social disadvantage areas versus 13% in lower disadvantage areas. Opioid use showed a similar pattern (30% vs. 21%). No differences were observed for benzodiazepines or for any substance by rural vs. urban residence.
Key Numbers
854 Ohio cancer patients; cannabis use 19% vs 13% by social disadvantage; opioid use 30% vs 21%; no difference for benzodiazepines; no rural-urban differences for any substance
How They Did This
Cross-sectional study of 854 Ohio cancer patients at an academic cancer center. Residential ZIP codes were used to assign rural-urban commuting area codes and social deprivation index values. Participants completed a cannabis-focused questionnaire including medication use items.
Why This Research Matters
Understanding who uses cannabis among cancer patients helps identify potential health equity concerns. Patients in disadvantaged areas may face both greater symptom burden and fewer treatment options, leading to higher use of both cannabis and opioids for symptom management.
The Bigger Picture
The parallel pattern of higher cannabis and opioid use in disadvantaged areas suggests these patients may have greater unmet symptom management needs rather than simply different substance use preferences.
What This Study Doesn't Tell Us
Single academic cancer center in Ohio, descriptive findings without statistical adjustment for cancer type or stage, area-level social disadvantage may not reflect individual circumstances, cross-sectional design, self-reported cannabis use
Questions This Raises
- ?Are cancer patients in disadvantaged areas using cannabis as a substitute for or supplement to opioids?
- ?Does cannabis access reduce opioid use in areas with medical cannabis programs?
- ?Would multi-institutional studies confirm these patterns?
Trust & Context
- Key Stat:
- Cancer patients in disadvantaged areas had 46% higher cannabis use and 43% higher opioid use
- Evidence Grade:
- Single-center descriptive study with limited statistical analysis; identifies an important pattern but needs larger confirmation
- Study Age:
- Published 2025
- Original Title:
- Prevalence of cannabis and medication use by indices of residential urbanicity and deprivation among Ohio cancer patients.
- Published In:
- Cancer causes & control : CCC, 36(7), 719-724 (2025)
- Authors:
- Brasky, Theodore M, Lee, Shieun, McBride, Bella, Newton, Alison M, Baltic, Ryan D, Wagener, Theodore L, Conroy, Sara, Hays, John L, Stevens, Erin E, Adib, Anita, Krok-Schoen, Jessica L
- Database ID:
- RTHC-06111
Evidence Hierarchy
A snapshot of a population at one point in time.
What do these levels mean? →Frequently Asked Questions
How common is cannabis use among cancer patients?
In this Ohio study, 13-19% of cancer patients used cannabis, with higher rates among those living in areas of greater social disadvantage.
Does living in a rural area affect cannabis use among cancer patients?
No. This study found no rural-urban differences in cannabis, opioid, or benzodiazepine use among cancer patients. The key factor was social disadvantage, not geography.
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Cite This Study
https://rethinkthc.com/research/RTHC-06111APA
Brasky, Theodore M; Lee, Shieun; McBride, Bella; Newton, Alison M; Baltic, Ryan D; Wagener, Theodore L; Conroy, Sara; Hays, John L; Stevens, Erin E; Adib, Anita; Krok-Schoen, Jessica L. (2025). Prevalence of cannabis and medication use by indices of residential urbanicity and deprivation among Ohio cancer patients.. Cancer causes & control : CCC, 36(7), 719-724. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-025-01972-x
MLA
Brasky, Theodore M, et al. "Prevalence of cannabis and medication use by indices of residential urbanicity and deprivation among Ohio cancer patients.." Cancer causes & control : CCC, 2025. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10552-025-01972-x
RethinkTHC
RethinkTHC Research Database. "Prevalence of cannabis and medication use by indices of resi..." RTHC-06111. Retrieved from https://rethinkthc.com/research/brasky-2025-prevalence-of-cannabis-and
Access the Original Study
Study data sourced from PubMed, a service of the U.S. National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
This study breakdown was produced by the RethinkTHC research team. We analyze and report published research findings without making health recommendations. All interpretations are based solely on the published abstract and study data.