Cancer stage and consideration of cannabis use among adult cancer survivors in Southern California

Abstract

Abstract Background The benefits of cannabis in symptom management among cancer survivors are widely acknowledged; however, patterns of cannabis use by cancer stage at diagnosis are unknown. Methods Here, we examined the association between cancer stage at diagnosis and consideration of cannabis use since diagnosis. We analyzed cross-sectional survey data from 954 cancer survivors, weighted to be representative of a National Cancer Institute–Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center’s patient population. We used survey-weighted multivariable logistic regression to examine the association between cancer stage at diagnosis (advanced [III/IV] versus non-advanced [I/II]) and consideration of cannabis use (yes versus no) since diagnosis. Results Sixty percent of the population was diagnosed with non-advanced stages of cancer, and 42% had considered using cannabis since diagnosis. The odds of consideration of cannabis use were 63% higher (odds ratio = 1.63, 95% confidence interval = 1.06 to 2.49) among cancer survivors diagnosed at stages III/IV than among those diagnosed at stages I/II. Conclusion Cancer stage may be a predictor of consideration of cannabis use after diagnosis.