Cancer Patients in Disadvantaged Areas Were More Likely to Use Cannabis and Opioids | Research

The takeaway

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.

Oncologists, health equity researchers, medical cannabis researchers

Cancer patients in disadvantaged areas had 46% higher cannabis use and 43% higher opioid use

What the researchers 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.

Why it 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 numbers in context

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 the study worked

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.

What this study cannot 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

How to read the evidence

Single-center descriptive study with limited statistical analysis; identifies an important pattern but needs larger confirmation

When this study was published

Published 2025

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.

Questions still open

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?

Common 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.

Read the original research

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

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

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