Heavy cannabis use (20-30 days/month) was associated with 30% lower odds of breast cancer screening and 40% lower odds of prostate cancer screening, but had no effect on cervical or colorectal screening.
Primary care physicians; preventive health advocates; cannabis-using adults
40% lower prostate cancer screening adherence among daily cannabis users
What the researchers found
High-frequency cannabis use was associated with lower breast cancer screening adherence (aOR 0.70) and prostate cancer screening at any frequency (1-19 days: aOR 0.76; 20-30 days: aOR 0.60). No significant effect was found for cervical or colorectal cancer screening.
Why it matters
If frequent cannabis use is associated with skipping cancer screenings, clinicians seeing cannabis-using patients may need to be more proactive about screening recommendations.
The numbers in context
229,711 patients analyzed. Breast cancer screening: aOR 0.70 (20-30 days use). Prostate screening: aOR 0.60 (20-30 days), 0.76 (1-19 days). No significant effect on cervical or colorectal screening.
How the study worked
Analysis of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data covering 229,711 patients eligible for cancer screening. Multivariable adjusted models assessed cannabis use frequency and screening adherence.
What this study cannot tell us
Cross-sectional design cannot establish causation. Self-reported cannabis use and screening adherence. Cannot distinguish recreational from medical users. Confounders like healthcare access may explain the association.
How to read the evidence
Large population-based survey with multivariable adjustment; moderate because of sample size despite cross-sectional limitations.
When this study was published
2025 publication using BRFSS survey data
The bigger picture
This may reflect broader healthcare engagement patterns rather than a direct effect of cannabis. Heavy cannabis users may be less likely to seek preventive care in general.
Questions still open
- Is the association driven by cannabis itself or by the demographics of heavy users? Would targeted screening reminders for cannabis users close this gap? Does medical cannabis use show the same pattern?
Common questions
Does cannabis cause people to skip cancer screenings?
Why were only breast and prostate screenings affected?
Read the original research
Association of Cannabis Use With Guideline-Recommended Cancer Screenings: Results From a National Health Behaviors Survey.
JCO oncology practice, OP2401093
Citation
Dagnino, Filippo; Pohl, Klara K; Qian, Zhiyu; Zurl, Hanna; Stelzl, Daniel; Korn, Stephan M; Lughezzani, Giovanni; Buffi, Nicolò M; Kibel, Adam S; Trinh, Quoc-Dien; Cole, Alexander P. (2025). Association of Cannabis Use With Guideline-Recommended Cancer Screenings: Results From a National Health Behaviors Survey.. JCO oncology practice, OP2401093. https://doi.org/10.1200/OP-24-01093
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