ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Cancer survivors are vulnerable to Cannabis Use (CU) and at increased risk for depression. Yet, the relationship between CU and depression among cancer survivors is unknown. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of daily/non-daily CU, investigate the association between CU and depression and evaluate CU reasons and methods of administration among cancer survivors. METHOD: Population-based, nationally representative sample of cancer survivors aged ≥18 (n = 10,799) from 2018 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey was used. Weighted descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were conducted. FINDINGS: Overall, 4.2% reported daily and 4.1% non-daily CU. Those who self-reported depression had higher prevalence of daily and non-daily CU than those not reporting depression. Daily CU was associated with 120% increased odds of depression (odds ratio = 2.2, 95% confidence interval [1.3, 3.7]) compared with none-users. DISCUSSION: Efforts to improve open communications and evidence-informed discussions regarding benefits and risks of CU and reasons for using cannabis between clinicians and cancer survivors are imperative.
