TY - JOUR
T1 - Use of Medical Cannabis by Patients With Cancer
T2 - Attitudes, Knowledge, and Practice
AU - Cohen, Tzeela
AU - Ezra, Menachem Ben
AU - Yanai, Shirly
AU - Oren-Azulay, Tal
AU - Wein, Simon
AU - Hamama-Raz, Yaira
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine
PY - 2023/9
Y1 - 2023/9
N2 - Context: Demand for medical cannabis (MC) is growing among Israeli patients with cancer. Objectives: The study sought to assess factors contributing to the demand for MC among patients with cancer. Methods: Patients applying for a permit to receive MC at a pain and palliative clinic of a university-affiliated cancer center in Israel in 2020–2021 were asked to complete self-report questionnaires assessing attitudes, knowledge, and expectations regarding MC use. Findings were compared between first-time and repeat applicants. Repeat applicants were asked to report their indications for requesting MC, patterns of use, and treatment effect. Results: The cohort included 146 patients: 63 first-time applicants and 83 repeat applicants. First-time applicants were more likely to consult sources other than their oncologist for MC-related information (P < 0.01) and expressed more concern about addiction (P < 0.001) and side effects (P < 0.05). They often erroneously assumed the treatment was subsidized (P < 0.001). Repeat applicants were younger (P < 0.05) and included more smokers (P < 0.05) and recreational cannabis users (P < 0.05); 56.6% were cancer survivors and 78% used high-potency MC. Most patients believed to some degree that MC is more effective than conventional medications for symptom control, and over half thought that MC helps to cure cancer. Conclusion: Misconceptions regarding the effectiveness of MC for symptom management and treatment may explain the motivation of patients with cancer to apply for a permit. There seems to be an association of young age, cigarette smoking, and recreational cannabis use with ongoing use of MC among cancer survivors.
AB - Context: Demand for medical cannabis (MC) is growing among Israeli patients with cancer. Objectives: The study sought to assess factors contributing to the demand for MC among patients with cancer. Methods: Patients applying for a permit to receive MC at a pain and palliative clinic of a university-affiliated cancer center in Israel in 2020–2021 were asked to complete self-report questionnaires assessing attitudes, knowledge, and expectations regarding MC use. Findings were compared between first-time and repeat applicants. Repeat applicants were asked to report their indications for requesting MC, patterns of use, and treatment effect. Results: The cohort included 146 patients: 63 first-time applicants and 83 repeat applicants. First-time applicants were more likely to consult sources other than their oncologist for MC-related information (P < 0.01) and expressed more concern about addiction (P < 0.001) and side effects (P < 0.05). They often erroneously assumed the treatment was subsidized (P < 0.001). Repeat applicants were younger (P < 0.05) and included more smokers (P < 0.05) and recreational cannabis users (P < 0.05); 56.6% were cancer survivors and 78% used high-potency MC. Most patients believed to some degree that MC is more effective than conventional medications for symptom control, and over half thought that MC helps to cure cancer. Conclusion: Misconceptions regarding the effectiveness of MC for symptom management and treatment may explain the motivation of patients with cancer to apply for a permit. There seems to be an association of young age, cigarette smoking, and recreational cannabis use with ongoing use of MC among cancer survivors.
KW - Cannabis
KW - cancer
KW - chronic pain
KW - delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol
KW - palliative care
KW - self-report
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85161529050&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.05.010
DO - 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2023.05.010
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C2 - 37244526
AN - SCOPUS:85161529050
SN - 0885-3924
VL - 66
SP - 203-211.e1
JO - Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
JF - Journal of Pain and Symptom Management
IS - 3
ER -
