Cancer patients’ use of and attitudes towards medicinal cannabis
Allison Drosdowsky A D , Sarah Blaschke A , Trista Koproski A , Sonia Fullerton B , Arti Thackerar C , Steve Ellen A , Jo Phipps-Nelson A and Corry de Neef BA Department of Cancer Experiences Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Locked Bag 1, A’Beckett St, Vic. 8006, Australia. Email: sarah.blaschke@petermac.org; trista.koproski@petermac.org; steve.ellen@petermac.org; jo.phipps-nelson@petermac.org
B Palliative Care, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Locked Bag 1, A’Beckett St, Vic. 8006, Australia. Email: sonia.fullerton@petermac.org; corry.deneef@petermac.org
C Pharmacy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Locked Bag 1, A’Beckett St, Vic. 8006, Australia. Email: arti.thackerar@petermac.org
D Corresponding author. Email: allison.drosdowsky@petermac.org
Australian Health Review 44(4) 650-655 https://doi.org/10.1071/AH19066
Submitted: 14 March 2019 Accepted: 26 September 2019 Published: 21 January 2020
Abstract
Objectives Access to medicinal cannabis is a timely and important issue in cancer care. Recent legislative changes in Australia have increased access to medicinal cannabis, but the views of people with cancer on this topic are poorly understood. The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of the use of and attitudes towards medicinal cannabis among people with cancer.
Methods A cross-sectional study was performed using an anonymous, 15-item study-specific paper-based survey. The survey was administered over a 2-week period in August 2017 in the waiting rooms of a specialist cancer hospital.
Results In all, 339 patients completed the survey (mean (± s.d.) age 59 ± 15 years; 52% male). Fourteen respondents (4%) were currently using cannabis medicinally. Only one of these respondents had a prescription for their cannabis product. Most respondents would consider using a medicinal cannabis product if recommended by their doctor (n = 271; 80%).
Conclusion This study is the first of its kind to survey the use of and attitudes towards medicinal cannabis in a broad sample of Australian people with cancer. Few respondents were currently using cannabis for medicinal purposes, but an overwhelming majority were in favour of increasing access and would consider using a prescribed product.
What is known about the topic? Cannabis may have a wide variety of medicinal uses, particularly in the cancer setting. Currently, people with cancer in Victoria have limited access to medicinal cannabis despite recent legislative changes.
What does this paper add? In a general sample of people with cancer, few were using cannabis for medicinal purposes, but most were in favour of widening access and would consider using a product their doctor prescribed.
What are the implications for practitioners? Despite supporting access, patients indicated that the recommendations of doctors and increasing the evidence base are necessary requirements to their use of medicinal cannabis.
References
[1] Wilkie G, Sakr B, Rizack T. Medical marijuana use in oncology: a review. JAMA Oncol 2016; 2 670–5.| Medical marijuana use in oncology: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 26986677PubMed |
[2] Aggarwal SK, Carter GT, Sullivan MD, ZumBrunnen C, Morrill R, Mayer JD. Medicinal use of cannabis in the United States: historical perspectives, current trends, and future directions. J Opioid Manag 2009; 5 153–68.
| Medicinal use of cannabis in the United States: historical perspectives, current trends, and future directions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19662925PubMed |
[3] Hall W, Christie M, Currow D. Cannabinoids and cancer: causation, remediation, and palliation. Lancet Oncol 2005; 6 35–42.
| Cannabinoids and cancer: causation, remediation, and palliation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 15629274PubMed |
[4] Victorian Law Reform Commission. Medicinal cannabis. Report August 2015. 2015. http://www.lawreform.vic.gov.au/sites/default/files/VLRC_Medicinal_Cannabis_Report_web.pdf [verified May 2017].
[5] Victorian State Government. Medicinal cannabis. https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/drugs-and-poisons/medicinal-cannabis [verified May 2017].
[6] Swift W, Gates P, Dillon P. Survey of Australians using cannabis for medical purposes. Harm Reduct J 2005; 2 18
| Survey of Australians using cannabis for medical purposes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16202145PubMed |
[7] Luckett T, Phillips J, Lintzeris N, Allsop D, Lee J, Solowij N, Martin J, Lam L, Aggarwal R, McCaffrey N. Clinical trials of medicinal cannabis for appetite-related symptoms from advanced cancer: a survey of preferences, attitudes and beliefs among patients willing to consider participation. Intern Med J 2016; 46 1269–75.
| Clinical trials of medicinal cannabis for appetite-related symptoms from advanced cancer: a survey of preferences, attitudes and beliefs among patients willing to consider participation.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27530738PubMed |
[8] von Elm E, Altman DG, Egger M, Pocock SJ, Gøtzsche PC, Vandenbroucke JP. The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies. Ann Intern Med 2007; 147 573–7.
| The Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement: guidelines for reporting observational studies.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17938396PubMed |
[9] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). National drug strategy household survey 2016: detailed findings. Catalogue no. PHE 214, Drug Statistics Series no. 31. Canberra: AIHW; 2017.
[10] Brown LD, Cai TT, DasGupta A. Interval estimation for a binomial proportion. Stat Sci 2001; 16 101–33.
| Interval estimation for a binomial proportion.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[11] Dorai-Raj S. binom: binomial confidence intervals for several parameterizations. R package version 1.1–1; 2014.
[12] Flick U. An introduction to qualitative research. London: Sage Publishing; 2014.
[13] Kitto SC, Chesters J, Grbich C. Quality in qualitative research. Med J Aust 2008; 188 243–46.
| Quality in qualitative research.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18279135PubMed |
[14] Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). Cancer data in Australia. Canberra: AIHW; 2019.
[15] Pergam SA, Woodfield MC, Lee CM, Cheng G-S, Baker KK, Marquis SR, Fann JR. Cannabis use among patients at a comprehensive cancer center in a state with legalized medicinal and recreational use. Cancer 2017; 123 4488–97.
| Cannabis use among patients at a comprehensive cancer center in a state with legalized medicinal and recreational use.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 28944449PubMed |
[16] Martin JH, Bonomo YA. Medicinal cannabis in Australia: the missing links. Med J Aust 2016; 204 371–3.
| Medicinal cannabis in Australia: the missing links.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 27256646PubMed |
