Perspectives on Cannabis Use among Cancer Survivors and Cancer Care Providers: Parallel Surveys

As medical cannabis gains wider legal and social acceptance in the U.S., understanding its perceived benefits, risks, and patterns of use among cancer survivors, as well as healthcare providers' perspectives, is critical for informing clinical care and improving patient-provider communication. We conducted parallel surveys of cancer survivors (n = 395) and cancer care providers (n = 62) to assess convergent and divergent attitudes, as well as perceived benefits and risks of cannabis. Among survivors, subgroup analyses by cannabis use status (cannabis users vs. never users) examined differences in healthcare utilization, satisfaction, quality of life, mental health, and risk behaviors (e.g., smoking and alcohol use). Overall, attitudes toward medical cannabis were similar across groups; however, providers (25%) were more aware of risks than survivors (8.4%; χ²=13.37, p< .01). Survivors (68.5%) were more comfortable discussing cannabis with providers than providers (46.7%) were with patients (χ²=35.20, p< .01), and providers held more negative views of recreational cannabis (t = 2.20, p=.03). Among survivors, cannabis users (vs. never users) reported higher social well-being but lower physical and emotional well-being, greater healthcare mistrust, and lower healthcare utilization (all ps< 0.05). Compared to non-cannabis using cancer survivors, cannabis-using survivors had higher rates of smoking, vaping, anxiety, and depression, with no differences observed in chronic pain, alcohol use, or sleep quality. These findings highlight gaps in risk awareness and communication between survivors and providers. Improving care will require open, nonjudgmental dialogue supported by clear clinical guidance, along with further research on the long-term and cancer-specific effects of cannabis use.