Marijuana use among cancer survivors: Quantifying prevalence and identifying predictors

Introduction: More and more U.S. states are legalizing marijuana use for both recreational and medical purposes. This study estimated the prevalence of current marijuana use and identified its individual-level predictors among adult cancer survivors (CS) living in 15 U.S. states and territories.

Methods: U.S. nationally representative, cross-sectional data from the 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey (BRFSS) Marijuana Use module were used. A total of 9325 CS was included. Analyses were weighted to account for BRFSS's complex survey design with results generalizable to 4.02 million CS. The outcome was current (past 30-day) marijuana use. Weighted prevalence estimates were computed. Multivariable logistic regression examined individual-level demographic, socio-economic, clinical, and behavioral predictors associated with marijuana use.

Results: Weighted analysis indicated that 9.2% reported current marijuana use, 50.5% of which used it for medical reasons with smoking being the main method of administration, 71.3%. Among racial/ethnic groups, non-Hispanic blacks had the highest prevalence of marijuana use (18.6%). The prevalence of current marijuana use decreased with age (P < .001). CS were more likely to use marijuana if they were male, non-Hispanic black (versus non-Hispanic whites), not married, uninsured, current and former tobacco smoker, binge drinker, ever having depressive disorder, and those who had fair/poor health.

Conclusions: Marijuana use is prevalent among CS and certain subgroups are at higher risk for marijuana use. With the proliferation of marijuana legalization, identifying high-risk CS for marijuana use and informing them about its risks and safety is critical.

Keywords: Cancer survivors; Marijuana use; Predictors; Prevalence.