Background There is increasing concern among healthcare communities about the misinformation online about using cannabis to cure cancer. We have characterized this online interest in using cannabis as a cancer treatment and the propagation of this information on social media. Materials & methods We compared search activity over time for cannabis and cancer versus standard cancer therapies using Google Trends' relative search volume (RSV) tool and determined the impact of cannabis legalization. We classified news on social media about cannabis use in cancer as false, accurate, or irrelevant. We evaluated the cannabis-related social media activities of cancer organizations. Results The online search volume for cannabis and cancer increased at 10 times the rate of standard therapies (RSV 0.10/month versus 0.01/month, p<0.001), more so in states where medical or recreational cannabis is legal. The use of cannabis as a cancer cure represented the largest category (23.5%) of social media content on alternative cancer treatments. The top false news story claiming cannabis as a cancer cure generated 4.26 million engagements on social media, while the top accurate news story debunking this false news generated 0.036 million engagements. Cancer organizations infrequently addressed cannabis (average 0.7 Tweets; 0.4 Facebook posts), with low influence compared to false news (average 5.6 versus 527 Twitter retweets; 98 versus 452,050 Facebook engagements, p<0.001). Conclusions These findings reveal a growing interest in cannabis use as a cancer cure, and a crucial opportunity for physicians and medical organizations to communicate accurate information about the role of cannabis in cancer to patients, caregivers, and the general public.
Download full-text PDF |
Source |
|---|---|
| http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6426557 | PMC |
| http://dx.doi.org/10.7759/cureus.3918 | DOI Listing |
Publication Analysis
Top Keywords
Similar Publications
Role of Cannabis in the Management of Chronic Non-Cancer Pain: A Narrative Review.
Clin Pract
January 2025
Fondazione Paolo Procacci, 00193 Roma, Italy.
Chronic non-cancer pain, defined by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as lasting beyond three months, significantly affects individuals' quality of life and is often linked to various medical conditions or injuries. Its management is complex. Cannabis, containing the key compounds Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD), has garnered interest for its potential in pain management, though it remains controversial due to its psychoactive effects and illegal status in many countries.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCannabidiol suppresses proliferation and induces cell death, autophagy and senescence in human cholangiocarcinoma cells via the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway.
J Tradit Complement Med
November 2024
Centre for Research and Development of Medical Diagnostic Laboratories, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Khon Kaen University, Khon Kaen 40002, Thailand.
Background And Aim: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is usually diagnosed at a late stage, leading to treatment failure. Cannabidiol (CBD), exhibits diverse anti-cancer effects in various cancers, offering avenues for improving CCA treatment. This study investigated the effects of CBD on human CCA cells and the underlying mechanisms and .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntegrative Oncology: Incorporating Evidence-Based Approaches for Patients With GI Cancers.
Am Soc Clin Oncol Educ Book
January 2025
City of Hope National Medical Center, Duarte, CA.
Data have matured to support incorporation of integrative oncology modalities into comprehensive cancer care. Clinical practice guidelines have recently been published by ASCO for diet and exercise (2022) and use of cannabinoids and cannabis (2024) and jointly by ASCO and the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO) for application of integrative approaches in the management of pain (2022), anxiety and depression (2023), and fatigue (2024) among adults with cancer. Following the ASCO-SIO guidelines, clinicians should recommend mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) to patients with symptoms of anxiety or depression and MBIs and exercise for management of fatigue during or after completion of cancer treatment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClinician's perceptions and experiences with tobacco treatment in people who use cannabis: a qualitative study.
Subst Abuse Treat Prev Policy
January 2025
Tobacco Control Unit, Cancer Control and Prevention Program, Institut Català d'OncologiaL'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
Introduction: Global demand for the treatment of cannabis use disorder has increased significantly, prompting a need to understand effective strategies for addressing concurrent cannabis and tobacco use. This study focuses on clinicians' experiences and perceptions in delivering tobacco cessation services to people who use cannabis.
Methods: Fifteen participants (12 females, 3 males) participated in three homogenous focus groups, including two groups with extensive experience in providing tobacco cessation among the substance use population in Catalonia, Spain, and one group of clinicians without such experience.
Patients' Perceptions of the Efficacy, Safety, and Quality of the Evidence of Medicinal Cannabis: A Survey of Australian Cancer Patients.
Asia Pac J Clin Oncol
January 2025
Department of Medical Oncology, Gosford Hospital, Gosford, New South Wales, Australia.
Introduction: Despite the increased demand for medical cannabis (MC), MASCC guidelines state that there is insufficient evidence of its efficacy and safety. Although research has explored medical professionals' perceptions of MC, there is to our knowledge minimal research exploring patients' perceptions, particularly in an Australian cancer setting.
Methods: A survey of Australian cancer patients attending oncology outpatient clinics was performed.
Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?
Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!