Stacy Chapman1,2, Jennifer Protudjer1,3, Cathy Bourne2, Lauren E Kelly2,3, Sapna Oberoi1,2, Magimairajan Issai Vanan4,5. 1. Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 2. Section of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, CancerCare Manitoba, ON-2038, 675 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9, Canada. 3. The Children's Hospital Research Institute of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. 4. Department of Pediatrics and Child Health, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada. mivanan@cancercare.mb.ca. 5. Section of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology, CancerCare Manitoba, ON-2038, 675 McDermot Ave, Winnipeg, MB, R3E 0V9, Canada. mivanan@cancercare.mb.ca.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: There are minimal data regarding the safety and efficacy of cannabis used as an anti-cancer agent or for symptom management in pediatric oncology. We aimed to characterize the prevalence and factors associated with the use of cannabis for the treatment of cancer and management of cancer-related symptoms in children during or after cancer treatment. METHODS: An anonymous 40 question paper survey was offered to patients/caregivers of children with cancer attending a pediatric oncology clinic in a provincially mandated cancer agency between October 2019 and March 2020. RESULTS: There were 64 respondents included in the analysis. Fourteen participants (N=14/64; 22%) reported use of cannabis, of which half used cannabis for either cancer treatment or symptom management, or both. Leukemia (n=9/14; 64%) was the most frequent diagnosis in children whose caregivers reported using cannabis and the majority of them were still receiving active cancer treatment (N= 5/9; 56%). All of the respondents using cannabis (14/14, 100%) experienced symptom improvement. Most of the caregivers procured cannabis from their friends (N=5/14; 36%), and oil was the most commonly used formulation (N=12/14; 86%). Cannabis-related information was received from another parent (N=4/14; 29%) or from a doctor (N=4/14; 29%). The reported monthly expenditure on cannabis varied widely from less than $50 CAD (N=4/14; 29%) to more than $500 CAD (N=3/14; 21%). CONCLUSIONS: Our survey shows that cannabis, mostly oil products, was used by one-fifth of children with cancer during or after the completion of cancer treatment. These findings require validation in a larger nationwide survey.
BACKGROUND: There are minimal data regarding the safety and efficacy of cannabis used as an anti-cancer agent or for symptom management in pediatric oncology. We aimed to characterize the prevalence and factors associated with the use of cannabis for the treatment of cancer and management of cancer-related symptoms in children during or after cancer treatment. METHODS: An anonymous 40 question paper survey was offered to patients/caregivers of children with cancer attending a pediatric oncology clinic in a provincially mandated cancer agency between October 2019 and March 2020. RESULTS: There were 64 respondents included in the analysis. Fourteen participants (N=14/64; 22%) reported use of cannabis, of which half used cannabis for either cancer treatment or symptom management, or both. Leukemia (n=9/14; 64%) was the most frequent diagnosis in children whose caregivers reported using cannabis and the majority of them were still receiving active cancer treatment (N= 5/9; 56%). All of the respondents using cannabis (14/14, 100%) experienced symptom improvement. Most of the caregivers procured cannabis from their friends (N=5/14; 36%), and oil was the most commonly used formulation (N=12/14; 86%). Cannabis-related information was received from another parent (N=4/14; 29%) or from a doctor (N=4/14; 29%). The reported monthly expenditure on cannabis varied widely from less than $50 CAD (N=4/14; 29%) to more than $500 CAD (N=3/14; 21%). CONCLUSIONS: Our survey shows that cannabis, mostly oil products, was used by one-fifth of children with cancer during or after the completion of cancer treatment. These findings require validation in a larger nationwide survey.
Entities:
Keywords:
Cannabis; Medical marijuana; Pediatric oncology; Symptom management
Authors: Marta Podda; Elena Pagani Bagliacca; Giovanna Sironi; Laura Veneroni; Matteo Silva; Martina Angi; Maura Massimino; Andrea Ferrari; Carlo Alfredo Clerici Journal: Tumori Date: 2020-03-17 Impact factor: 2.098
Authors: Sapna Oberoi; Jennifer L P Protudjer; Adam Rapoport; Shahrad R Rassekh; Bruce Crooks; Harold Siden; Kathleen Decker; Prasanna Ananth; Stacy Chapman; Lynda G Balneaves; Magimairajan Issai Vanan; Lauren E Kelly Journal: Cancer Rep (Hoboken) Date: 2021-10-21