Overview
- A peer-reviewed study published in the Annals of Epidemiology shows colon cancer patients with cannabis use disorder (CUD) have a five-year mortality rate of 55.88%, compared to 5.05% for non-users.
- The research, based on health records of over 1,000 patients treated between 2012 and 2024, controlled for age, sex, tumor stage, and biomarkers to ensure robust findings.
- Patients with a history of CUD were found to be 24.4 times more likely to die within five years of diagnosis than those without CUD.
- Heavy cannabis use may negatively affect immune function, mental health, and adherence to cancer treatments, potentially explaining the increased mortality risk.
- The study emphasizes the need for further research into the long-term effects of cannabis use, particularly in medically vulnerable populations like cancer patients.