A new federally funded study shows that “most cannabis users reported that it improved their cancer-related symptoms”—including pain, appetite, mood and insomnia—while also serving as a substitute for opioids for nearly a third of them.
Researchers with the Pennsylvania State University College of Medicine, Penn State Cancer Institute and Fox Chase Cancer Center surveyed 186 patients, about a quarter of whom (26 percent) had used cannabis since their diagnosis.
“A majority of users reported improvement in most cancer-related symptoms assessed, highlighting its potential role in cancer symptom management,” the study, published in the journal Supportive Care in Cancer, found. “Symptom improvement was reported for insomnia (89.7% of users), appetite (85.7%), mood (83.7%), joint pains/stiffness (83.3%), stress/anxiety/depression (81.6%), cancer-related pain (80.7%) and digestive symptoms (67.9%).”
A minority of patients saw improvements in other cancer-related symptoms, including fatigue/lack of energy (49 percent), sexual interest (42 percent) and sweating/hot flashes (28 percent).
The study also found that cancer patients in the sample “commonly used cannabis as an alternative to opioids for pain management,” which the researchers said “supports existing evidence suggesting that many patients prefer cannabis over opioids due to fewer side effects and better symptom control.”
“30.1% reported using cannabis instead of
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