Cannabis Use Linked to Lower Mental Health Ratings in Cancer Survivors
A survey-based study shows higher odds of post-diagnosis cannabis use among cancer survivors reporting average or below average mental health.
Key takeaways
- Cancer survivors reporting average or below average mental health had significantly higher odds of using cannabis after diagnosis (OR = 1.88; 95% CI = 1.13-3.11).
- The associations between average or below average physical health or quality of life and cannabis use were positive but did not reach statistical significance.
- The relationships between self-rated health and post-diagnosis cannabis use did not significantly differ by cancer stage, treatment status, or pre-diagnosis cannabis use.
- The study analyzed a weighted sample of 652 respondents from an NCI-designated cancer center surveyed in 2022.
A survey of cancer survivors suggests that those who report lower self-rated mental health are more likely to use cannabis after their diagnosis. Published in the journal Supportive Care in Cancer in September 2026, the study evaluated the relationship between self-rated health measures and post-diagnosis cannabis use among patients who received care at an NCI-designated cancer center.
While many cancer survivors reported above average status for their mental health and quality of life, those who reported average or below average mental health had significantly higher odds of using cannabis after diagnosis. The study evaluated associations across physical health, mental health, and quality of life, noting distinct differences in statistical significance among these measures.
Because the research relies on self-reported survey data to examine associations, it cannot establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship between health status and cannabis use. Instead, it highlights how patients' perceptions of their own well-being relate to their choices regarding cannabis use during survivorship.
What Happened
Researchers invited 5,901 individuals who received care at an NCI-designated cancer center between 2018 and 2019 to complete an online survey in 2022. Of those invited, 954 responded, and researchers included 652 respondents in this study.
The sample was weighted to represent the cancer center's patient population. Among the included respondents, 58.6% were non-Hispanic White, 58.5% were female, and 51.8% were aged 65 years or older. The survey asked participants to rate their physical health, mental health, and quality of life on a scale ranging from poor to excellent. These exposures were dichotomized as either "Average or Below Average" or "Above Average" (which served as the referent group). Post-diagnosis cannabis use was self-reported as a "Yes" or "No" response.
What The Evidence Shows
The survey-weighted analysis showed that most participants reported above average status for mental health (67.2%) and quality of life (64.2%), while almost half (47.1%) reported above average physical health.
The odds of post-diagnosis cannabis use were significantly higher among survivors who reported average or below average mental health, with an adjusted odds ratio (OR) of 1.88 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.13-3.11).
In contrast, the associations for other measures were positive but did not reach statistical significance. For physical health, the odds ratio for post-diagnosis cannabis use among those with average or below average health was 1.38 (95% CI = 0.85-2.24). For quality of life, the odds ratio among those reporting average or below average status was 1.24 (95% CI = 0.75-2.05). Additionally, these associations did not significantly differ by the survivor's cancer stage, treatment status, or whether they had used cannabis prior to their diagnosis.
What We Don't Know Yet
The published study source does not report specific limitations of the analysis. However, as an observational study utilizing self-reported survey data, it cannot establish cause and effect. Additionally, the study's response rate was low, with 954 out of 5,901 invited individuals responding to the survey.
What Comes Next
The published study source does not report any plans or next steps for future research. Whether additional longitudinal studies will be conducted to track changes in cannabis use and self-rated health over time remains an open question.
What This Means
This research indicates that cancer survivors reporting average or below average mental health are more likely to report using cannabis after their diagnosis than those with above average mental health. Because these associations did not significantly vary based on cancer stage, treatment status, or pre-diagnosis cannabis use, the correlation between lower self-reported mental health and post-diagnosis cannabis use appears consistent across these subgroups.
Original Source
PubMed (NCBI E-utilities): https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42698030/
Questions readers ask
- Is there a link between mental health and cannabis use after a cancer diagnosis?
- Yes. The study found that cancer survivors who rated their mental health as average or below average had significantly higher odds of post-diagnosis cannabis use compared to those with above average mental health.
- Does physical health or quality of life affect cannabis use in cancer survivors?
- The study observed positive associations between lower physical health or quality of life and post-diagnosis cannabis use, but these relationships were not statistically significant.
- Do cancer stage or treatment status impact these findings?
- No. The associations between self-rated health, quality of life, and post-diagnosis cannabis use did not significantly differ based on cancer stage, treatment status, or whether the survivor used cannabis before their diagnosis.
What this means
This research indicates that cancer survivors reporting average or below average mental health are more likely to report using cannabis after their diagnosis than those with above average mental health. Because these associations did not significantly vary based on cancer stage, treatment status, or pre-diagnosis cannabis use, the correlation between lower self-reported mental health and post-diagnosis cannabis use appears consistent across these subgroups.
Limitations and uncertainties
- The published study source does not report specific limitations of the analysis. However, as an observational study utilizing self-reported survey data, it cannot establish cause and effect. Additionally, the study's response rate was low, with 954 out of 5,901 invited individuals responding to the survey.
Sources
- Post-diagnosis cannabis use and its association with health status and quality of life in cancer survivors. — PubMed (NCBI E-utilities)
