A recent study from the Fred Hutch Cancer Center showed that more than 40% of the 1,500 patients reported cannabis use after their cancer diagnosis. Patients in chemotherapy often use anti-nausea drugs, but may supplement with cannabis if these drugs prove ineffective. In addition, cannabis is sometimes used as a way to stimulate appetite in patients or to help with insomnia (cancer medications often include steroids which can cause sleeplessness).
The researchers found most patients used edibles (60.5%) or smoked it (43.8%). The most frequent reasons for use cited in the survey were sleep (54.5%); mood, stress, anxiety and depression (44.3%); pain (42.3%); and recreation (42.3%). Roughly half of those who used cannabis after their cancer diagnosis reported using it at least several times per week during cancer treatment.
