A survey of breast cancer patients’ use of cannabis before, during, and after treatment.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e19210-e19210
Author(s):  
Marisa C. Weiss ◽  
Julianne Hibbs ◽  
Terri W. McHugh ◽  
Meghan Buckley ◽  
Sharon Larson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Informed Consent ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Therapeutic Agents ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Medical Cannabis ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Metastatic Sites

e19210 Background: The availability of cannabis is rapidly expanding and cancer is a qualifying condition in all states allowing medical cannabis. However, there are many unknowns with respect to patterns of cannabis use among breast cancer patients. The goal of this study was to better understand how and when cannabis is used among breast cancer patients. Methods: Between 12/16/2019 and 1/19/2020, U.S.-based members of Breastcancer.org and the Healthline communities were invited to participate in a cannabis survey. Subjects confirmed they were age ≥18 and diagnosed with breast cancer within 5 years. After informed consent, data were collected, de-identified and analyzed in aggregate. The study was led by Socanna, conducted by Outcomes Insights, and supported by a grant from Ananda Health/Ecofibre. Results: A total of 3522 persons initiated screening, 832 completed screening, and 725 met eligibility criteria, of whom 612 completed the survey (84%). The results showed that 42% of participants had used medical cannabis products to relieve symptoms, including insomnia (70%), pain (59%), anxiety (57%), stress (51%), and nausea/vomiting (46%). Additionally, cannabis was used prior to treatment in 24%, during treatment in 79%, and after treatment in 54%. Of subjects reporting cannabis use during treatment: 86% used it during chemotherapy, 71% during HER2 therapy, 65% during hormonal therapy, 49% during breast radiation, and 47% during radiation for metastatic sites. Post-surgical use was reported in 51% after mastectomy alone, 40% after lumpectomy, and 38% after mastectomy/reconstruction. An average of 3-4 cannabis products were utilized. Products were sourced from medical dispensaries (54%), family/friends (33%), and recreational sources (27%). Although cannabis using subjects strongly preferred medical sources, 77% had also utilized recreational sources. Conclusions: This survey shows that almost half of breast cancer patients reported using cannabis to help relieve common symptoms from breast cancer or its treatments. Of those, 79% used cannabis during active treatment, which can impact efficacy and safety. To date, studies have not investigated drug interactions between cannabis and these therapeutic agents. Furthermore, there is a concern regarding contaminants. Although most medical cannabis is tested for pathogens and contaminants, this is not the case for cannabis obtained from other sources. The results of this study highlight the need for research regarding cannabis for medical purposes, including safety and interaction studies.

A survey of cannabis use for symptom palliation in breast cancer patients by age and stage.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 12108-12108
Author(s):  
Marisa C. Weiss ◽  
Meghan Buckley ◽  
Julianne Hibbs ◽  
Adam Leitenberger ◽  
Melissa Jenkins ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Metastatic Disease ◽  
Significant Proportion ◽  
Breast Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Medical Cannabis ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Chi Square ◽  
Post Surgery

12108 Background: Most US states have legalized medical cannabis for the treatment of serious conditions, including cancer. It is not well known which symptoms breast cancer patients seek to control with cannabis. Methods: Members of the Breastcancer.org and Healthline communities were invited to participate in this survey between 12/16/2019 and 1/19/2020. Eligibility criteria included age ≥18 years, resident of the US and a breast cancer diagnosis within the past 5 years. Eligible respondent data were analyzed for the symptomatic profile of cannabis users. Symptoms were compared between two groups using a Chi-square test of independence. The survey was led by Socanna, conducted by Outcomes Insights, and supported by a grant from Ananda Health/Ecofibre. Results: Among the 832 respondents who completed screening, 725 met the eligibility criteria, and 612 (84%) completed the survey. The median age of respondents was 57 years, and 85% had non-metastatic disease An estimated 42% of respondents have used medical cannabis to treat symptoms or side effects of breast cancer. Medical cannabis users reported using cannabis to treat insomnia (70%), joint and muscle aches, discomfort, stiffness, or pain (59%), anxiety (57%), and stress (51%). The medical cannabis users less than 50-year-old were more likely to use cannabis to treat these symptoms than their over 50-year-old counterparts, however, the differences were not statistically significant. Medical cannabis users under age 50 used cannabis significantly more than over 50 to treat nausea/vomiting (58% vs 40%; p = 0.010) and inflammation (34% vs 20%; p = 0.021). Medical cannabis users with metastatic disease were more likely to use medical cannabis to treat chronic pain 60% vs 41%; p = 0.017) than non-metastatic users. Post-surgery patients were most likely to use cannabis for nerve pain; and those who were beyond treatment, for stress. Patients suffered an average of 5 symptoms. Conclusions: A significant proportion of breast cancer patients reported using cannabis to treat a combination of symptoms from their cancer and its treatment. Although younger patients are somewhat more likely to use this form of palliative management, older patients are suffering from the same symptoms and their use is nearly as high. More research is needed on the personalization of safe and effective symptomatic management with medical cannabis, for people of all ages, stages, and forms of treatment.

Efficacy and Safety of Vinorelbine-Capecitabine Oral Metronomic Combination in Elderly Metastatic Breast Cancer Patients: VICTOR-1 Study

2017 ◽  
Vol 103 (1) ◽  
pp. e4-e8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marina E. Cazzaniga ◽  
Valter Torri ◽  
Francesca Riva ◽  
Luca Porcu ◽  
Federica Cicchiello ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Metastatic Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Clinical Benefit ◽  
Objective Response ◽  
Metastatic Breast ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Oral Vinorelbine ◽  
Metastatic Sites

Purpose Elderly patients with metastatic breast cancer are expected to derive similar benefits from chemotherapy as younger patients, but are more likely to experience therapy-related toxicity. Data from the VICTOR-1 study showed that metronomic therapy with vinorelbine and capecitabine was effective and well tolerated in patients with metastatic breast cancer. This analysis determined the efficacy and safety of the metronomic combination of oral vinorelbine and capecitabine in a subgroup of VICTOR-1 study patients aged ≥70 years. Methods Eighteen of the 32 patients enrolled in VICTOR-1 were aged ≥70 years. Objective response and clinical benefit rates were calculated and toxicity was determined using the NCI-CTCAE criteria. Results All patients had at least 1 comorbidity (4 had 2 comorbidities), and 77.7% were taking concomitant medication. Eight patients (44%) had received ≥1 chemotherapy regimens for metastatic disease and most (78%) had ≥2 metastatic sites. Grade 1-2 adverse events occurred in 45.8% of cycles, whereas the incidence of grade 3 and grade 4 events was very low (1.5% and 0.7%, respectively). Median time to progression was 10.5 months (range 1-40). The objective response rate was 33% and the clinical benefit rate was 67%. Conclusions The all-oral metronomic combination of vinorelbine and capecitabine had an acceptable efficacy profile and appears to be better tolerated than standard treatment schedules in elderly metastatic breast cancer patients (age ≥70 years).

scholarly journals The efficacy and safety of paclitaxel plus bevacizumab therapy in breast cancer patients with visceral crisis

The Breast ◽  
2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chikako Funasaka ◽  
Yoichi Naito ◽  
Shota Kusuhara ◽  
Takehiro Nakao ◽  
Yoko Fukasawa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Efficacy And Safety ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients

scholarly journals The Impact of Legalization of Access to Recreational Cannabis on Canadian Medical Users with Cancer.

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Philippa Helen Hawley ◽  
Monica Gobbo ◽  
Narsis Afghari
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cannabis Use ◽  
P Value ◽  
Medical Cannabis ◽  
Eligibility Criteria ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Access System ◽  
Patterns Of Use ◽  
Barriers To Access ◽  
The Impact

Abstract Background Canada legalized cannabis use for medical purposes in 1999. Legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes in October 2018 offered the opportunity to assess the impact of recreational legalization on cancer patients’ patterns of use to identify learning points that could be helpful to other countries considering similar legislation.Method Two identical anonymous cross-sectional surveys were administered to cancer patients in British Columbia (2 months before and 3 months following legalization), with the same eligibility criteria. The prevalence of medical cannabis use, the distribution of symptoms leading to use, the most common types of cannabis products and sources, reasons for stopping using cannabis, and barriers to access were assessed.Results The overall response rate was 27%. Both cohorts were similar regarding age (median= 66yrs), gender (53% female), and education (approximately 85% of participants had an education level of high school graduation and higher). Respondents had multiple motives for taking cannabis, including to manage multiple symptoms, to treat cancer, and for recreational reasons. The majority of patients in both surveys did not use the legal medical access system. Comparison of the two cohorts showed that after legalization the prevalence of current cannabis use increased by 26% (23·1% to 29·1%, p-value 0·01), including an increased disclosure of recreational motive for use, from 32% to 40%. However, in the post-legalization cohort more Current Users reported problems getting cannabis (18%) than the pre-legalization cohort (8%), (p-value <0·01). The most common barrier cited was lack of available preferred products, including edibles, as these were only available from illegal dispensaries. Conclusions Results showed that legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes may have an impact on those who use medical cannabis. Impacts include an increase in prevalence of use; problems accessing preferred products legally; higher cost, and difficulties using a legal access system. The desired goal of regulation in reducing harms from use of illegal cannabis products are unlikely to be achieved if the legal process is less attractive to patients than use of illegal sources.

scholarly journals The Clinicopathological features and survival outcomes of patients with different metastatic sites in stage IV breast cancer

BMC Cancer ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ru Wang ◽  
Yayun Zhu ◽  
Xiaoxu Liu ◽  
Xiaoqin Liao ◽  
Jianjun He ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Brain Metastasis ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Stage Iv ◽  
Clinicopathological Features ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Kaplan Meier ◽  
Stage Iv Breast Cancer ◽  
Multivariable Analyses ◽  
Metastatic Sites

Abstract Background The features and survival of stage IV breast cancer patients with different metastatic sites are poorly understood. This study aims to examine the clinicopathological features and survival of stage IV breast cancer patients according to different metastatic sites. Methods Using the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database, we restricted our study population to stage IV breast cancer patients diagnosed between 2010 to 2015. The clinicopathological features were examined by chi-square tests. Breast cancer-specific survival (BCSS) and overall survival (OS) were compared among patients with different metastatic sites by the Kaplan-Meier method with log-rank test. Univariable and multivariable analyses were also performed using the Cox proportional hazard model to identify statistically significant prognostic factors. Results A total of 18,322 patients were identified for survival analysis. Bone-only metastasis accounted for 39.80% of patients, followed by multiple metastasis (33.07%), lung metastasis (10.94%), liver metastasis (7.34%), other metastasis (7.34%), and brain metastasis (1.51%). The Kaplan-Meier plots showed that patients with bone metastasis had the best survival, while patients with brain metastasis had the worst survival in both BCSS and OS (p < 0.001, for both). Multivariable analyses showed that age, race, marital status, grade, tumor subtype, tumor size, surgery of primary cancer, and a history of radiotherapy or chemotherapy were independent prognostic factors. Conclusion Stage IV breast cancer patients have different clinicopathological characteristics and survival outcomes according to different metastatic sites. Patients with bone metastasis have the best prognosis, and brain metastasis is the most aggressive subgroup.

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