Cannabis use and perceptions among rural and urban cancer patients and survivors from a Pennsylvania cancer center

Abstract Purpose Cannabis use has become more common among cancer patients for symptom management. Given the underrepresentation of rural patients in prior research, our study explored cannabis use and perceptions among cancer patients, with a focus on comparing rural and urban/suburban patients. Methods Adult cancer patients at the Penn State Cancer Institute completed an anonymous survey on cannabis use and attitudes. Eligible participants had a cancer diagnosis and had been in active treatment within the previous year. We compared rural and urban/suburban patients using Fisher’s exact test. The results were further examined using a multivariable logistic regression model, controlling for area of residence and sociodemographic factors. Results Among the 186 patients surveyed, 26.1% had used cannabis since diagnosis. Rates were not significantly different between rural and urban/suburban patients, and area of residence was not associated with cannabis use in multivariable regression analysis. 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%), with no differences by area of residence. Urban/suburban patients were more likely to believe that cannabis helps with nausea/vomiting ( p = 0.019), more likely not to use cannabis due to concerns about interactions with medications ( p = 0.002), and more likely to obtain cannabis from dispensaries ( p = 0.046). Conclusion Cannabis use was common in our study, with similar rates of use and attitudes towards cannabis between rural and urban/suburban patients. A majority of users reported improvement in most cancer-related symptoms assessed, highlighting its potential role in cancer symptom management.