Cannabis Assessment in Oncology Patients - Evaluation Survey: Understanding Usage Patterns in a Rural Radiation Cohort in Kentucky.

Amoah E.; Mourad W.; Randall M.; Yang E.; Shelton B.; Kaushal A. · The oncologist · 2026

**Background & Methods** This was a cross-sectional survey study of 237 adults receiving radiation therapy at urban and rural oncology practices (July 2023–February 2024) affiliated with an NCI/NCCN-designated cancer center in Kentucky. Participants completed an IRB-approved, de-identified tablet-based survey assessing demographics, cannabis use patterns, symptoms motivating use, concomitant medications (opioids, gabapentin), and patient-reported quality of life and financial toxicity. **Key Findings** • Lifetime unprescribed medicinal cannabis use was reported by 121 participants (51%), with 35 patients (14.7%) reporting recent use after cancer diagnosis compared to 30 patients (12.7%) before diagnosis (p = 0.0625). Cannabis use was common across demographic groups. • Most frequent indications for use were pain, nausea, anxiety, depression, poor appetite, and sleep disturbance, with at least 80% of users reporting symptom improvement and improved quality of life following cannabis use. • Recent cannabis users were significantly more likely to reside in urban rather than rural areas, despite the rural focus of the cohort. The study successfully demonstrated feasibility of fully tablet-based, staff-independent research methodology in rural oncology populations in an opioid-endemic region. **Dosage & Administration** Not reported. The survey characterized usage patterns and symptom indications but did not document specific cannabis dosages, frequency, route of administration, or formulations used by participants. **Safety & Adverse Effects** Not reported. The abstract does not provide data on adverse events, safety concerns, or negative effects associated with unprescribed cannabis use in this oncology population. No information is provided regarding drug interactions with concomitant opioids or gabapentin, despite this being an opioid-endemic region. **Evidence Quality** This is a descriptive, cross-sectional survey with significant limitations. The study lacks a control group, cannot establish causation, and relies on self-reported data subject to recall and social desirability bias. The modest sample size (n=237) and recruitment from a single cancer center limits generalizability. The non-significant difference in pre- versus post-diagnosis use (p = 0.0625) suggests limited evidence for cannabis initiation specifically due to cancer diagnosis. The primary strength is novel methodology demonstrating feasible tablet-based surveying in rural populations and addressing an understudied topic in an opioid-endemic region.

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