Non-prescription cannabis use for symptom management amongst women with gynecologic malignancies

Erin A. Blake; Megan Ross; Ugonna Ihenacho; Lizzette Figueroa; Emily Silverstein; Dina Flink; Yumi Mendez-Ishizaki; Annie Yessaian; Laurie L. Brunette; Koji Matsuo; Victoria K. Cortessis; Saketh Guntupalli; Lynda Roman

Gynecologic Oncology Reports (Nov 2019)

Non-prescription cannabis use for symptom management amongst women with gynecologic malignancies

Erin A. Blake,
Megan Ross,
Ugonna Ihenacho,
Lizzette Figueroa,
Emily Silverstein,
Dina Flink,
Yumi Mendez-Ishizaki,
Annie Yessaian,
Laurie L. Brunette,
Koji Matsuo,
Victoria K. Cortessis,
Saketh Guntupalli,
Lynda Roman

Affiliations

Erin A. Blake: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologic, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Corresponding author at: Department of Gynecologic Oncology, University of Southern California, 2020 Zonal Ave., Room 522, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
Megan Ross: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
Ugonna Ihenacho: Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Lizzette Figueroa: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Emily Silverstein: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Dina Flink: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
Yumi Mendez-Ishizaki: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Annie Yessaian: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologic, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Laurie L. Brunette: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologic, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Koji Matsuo: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologic, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Victoria K. Cortessis: Department of Preventive Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Saketh Guntupalli: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Colorado, Denver, CO, USA
Lynda Roman: Division of Gynecologic Oncology, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologic, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA

Journal volume & issue: Vol. 30

Abstract

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Objectives: To evaluate interest in and patterns of use of non-prescription cannabis products for symptom management amongst gynecologic cancer patients living in states with legal access to medical and recreational marijuana. Methods: Cross-sectional study using a novel 35-question survey distributed to women diagnosed with gynecologic cancer within two academic centers in California and Colorado. The survey queries demographic and disease traits, and both objective and subjective issues surrounding use of cannabis products for symptom management. Surveys were distributed to patients actively receiving treatment or under surveillance. Results: Enrollment began July 16, 2018 and was completed December 1, 2018. Survey return rate was 52.7%. A total of 225 participants met inclusion criteria.Sixty-two percent reported that they have used or would be interested in using cannabis products for symptom management; 60 (26.7%) are using non-prescription cannabis for treatment of cancer related symptoms, and 80 (35.6%) are interested in using cannabis derivatives under direction of their oncologist. Reasons cited for use of cannabis included: pain control (n = 41, 68.3), insomnia (n = 33, 55.0%), anxiety (n = 29, 48.3%), nausea (n = 26, 43.3%), and appetite stimulation (n = 21, 35.0%). Of the women using cannabis products, almost half report decreased prescription narcotic use after initiation of cannabis products (n = 27, 45.0%). Conclusions: Women with gynecologic cancer report a strong interest in the use of non-prescription cannabis products for management of cancer-related symptoms. Practitioners in the field of gynecologic oncology should be aware of the frequency of use of non-prescription cannabis amongst their patients as well as the growing desire for guidance about the use of cannabis derivatives. A substantial number of patients report decreased reliance on opioids when using cannabis derivatives for pain control. Keywords: survivorship, cannabis, symptom control

Published in Gynecologic Oncology Reports

ISSN: 2352-5789 (Online)
Publisher: Elsevier
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Gynecology and obstetrics; Medicine: Internal medicine: Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens
Website: http://www.journals.elsevier.com/gynecologic-oncology-reports/

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