About 48% of breast cancer patients surveyed reported current or past CBD use, mainly for pain, anxiety, and insomnia, with insomnia showing the greatest self-reported improvement.
Oncologists; breast cancer patients considering CBD; supportive care researchers.
48.2% of breast cancer patients reported CBD use
What the researchers found
Of 141 breast cancer patients surveyed, 68 (48.2%) reported prior or current CBD use. The most common reasons were pain management (75.6%), anxiety (61.0%), and insomnia (58.5%). The largest self-reported improvement was in insomnia, followed by pain. About 46% of former users stopped because CBD was ineffective.
Why it matters
CBD use among cancer patients is common but rarely discussed with physicians. Documenting the prevalence and reasons for use helps clinicians have informed conversations with patients.
The numbers in context
141 evaluable surveys. 68 (48.2%) reported CBD use. Pain management: 75.6%. Anxiety: 61.0%. Insomnia: 58.5%. Biggest self-reported improvement: insomnia. Stopped due to inefficacy: 46.2%. Stopped due to side effects: 7.7%.
How the study worked
Anonymous online survey of breast cancer patients at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center, accessed via clinic flyer from September 2020 to February 2024.
What this study cannot tell us
Convenience sample via clinic flyer (selection bias). Self-reported outcomes without clinical verification. Single cancer center.
How to read the evidence
Convenience sample survey with self-reported outcomes at a single center.
When this study was published
2025 study
The bigger picture
As CBD products become more widely available, cancer patients are self-medicating without much clinical guidance. Studies like this help quantify the gap between patient behavior and clinical evidence.
Questions still open
- Which breast cancer symptoms respond best to CBD vs placebo? Are patients disclosing CBD use to their oncologists? Does CBD interact with breast cancer treatment drugs?
Common questions
Why do breast cancer patients use CBD?
Did CBD work for these patients?
Read the original research
Characterizing Cannabidiol Use in a Breast Cancer Population.
Clinical breast cancer, 25(5), 464-471.e3
Citation
Fleege, Nicole M G; Loeffler, Bradley T; Boehnke, Kevin F; Henry, Norah Lynn. (2025). Characterizing Cannabidiol Use in a Breast Cancer Population.. Clinical breast cancer, 25(5), 464-471.e3. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clbc.2025.02.003
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