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M. Krause



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    P3.05 - Poster Session with Presenters Present (ID 475)

    • Event: WCLC 2016
    • Type: Poster Presenters Present
    • Track: Palliative Care/Ethics
    • Presentations: 1
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      P3.05-009 - Medical Marijuana and Lung Cancer: Patients' Knowledge and Attitude towards Its Use (ID 3994)

      14:30 - 14:30  |  Author(s): M. Krause

      • Abstract
      • Slides

      Background:
      Management of cancer-related symptoms in patients with lung cancer can be challengeing. Increasing number of patients have turned to cannabis plant to alleviate those symptoms. Some studies have shown potential benefits, however it is still classified as an illegal schedule I drug in the US. There is a shortage of research on its use in cancer patients. Additionally, there is fear, bias and stigma associated with its use. In this study, we set out to investigate patients' knowledge and views on the use of marijuana.

      Methods:
      Patients with advanced lung cancer over 18 years of age were included. They had to be receiving systemic intravenous treatment (chemotherapy, immunotherapy, biologic therapy), able to give informed consent and fluent in English. Study was explained by a trained research staff, written informed consent was obtained, and patients were given the survey to fill without assistance. Study was IRB approved.

      Results:
      A total of 20 patients were enrolled. They were 70% females, 30% males, 15% Hispanic, 5% Asian, 70% white, and 30% black. The majority of patients were symptomatic with 50% having pain, 25% nausea, 30% weight loss, 45% poor appetite and 65% with other symptoms most commonly fatigue. The majority (85%) have heard of the use of medical marijuana for cancer, 40% thought it helped treat the cancer, 75% thought it reduced side effects of treatment, 70% helped with pain, 60% helped with weight gain, and 70% helped with psychological distress. In this group, 82% have considered using marijuana, 70% thought they are able to obtain it. Only 15% said they would smoke it, while 30% would use a vaporized form, and 75% would use it in an edible form. Forty one percent of the patients expressed concerns regarding the legal risk of purchasing marijuana in Florida, while only 23% expressed concerns regarding the legal risk of using it. One hundred percent of the patients felt it should be legally available to cancer patients, and 100% expressed the need for a trusted educational resource for learning about Marijuana use. Overall, 94% of the patients would consider using it if legalized.

      Conclusion:
      To our knowledge, this is the first study focusing on lung cancer patients and their awareness regarding a highly controversial and currently illegal substance. Patients are interested in a robust educational resource regarding its benefit or lack thereof. More research focusing on this modality for palliation of symptoms in lung cancer patients is urgently needed.

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