An international survey on the knowledge, attitudes and clinical patterns of use of medical cannabis for cancer care: The TASMAN study

Dario Trapani, Sara J Nidhamalddin, Sara Gandini, Marco Filetti, Sara C Altuna, Ambra Carnevale Schianca, Angelica Petrillo, Shilpa M Murthy, Fabio Girardi, Jacques B Bezuidenhout, Khalid El Bairi, Pasquale Lombardi, Shah Z Khan, Csongor G Lengyel, Andreas Seeber, Sadaqat Hussain, Fahmi U Seid, Essam Elfaham, Andrew O Odhiambo, Yakup CoskunHabeeb S Baker, Arman R Chowdhury, Armando Genazzani, Gennaro Daniele, Giampiero Porzio, Giuseppe Curigliano, Raffaele Giusti*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Medical cannabis (MC) has gained traction in oncology for managing cancer-related symptoms, but its integration faces challenges due to limited evidence, inconsistent guidelines, and varied legal frameworks. METHODS: The TASMAN study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of oncologists and palliative care providers globally regarding MC use in cancer care. A survey of healthcare providers from diverse regions and income levels was conducted. RESULTS: we study included 179 participants (response rate: 51.1 %), with an equal gender distribution (49.4 % female) and a median age of 37 years. Participants were primarily oncologists (71.5 %), practicing in university hospitals (40.2 %) or cancer centres (32.4 %), with over half from low- and middle-income countries. Most respondents (92.7 %) were unaware of clinical guidelines for MC. A proportion of 44.1 % were familiar with MC use, 78.8 % recognized its role in cancer pain, and 34 % identified its role in managing cachexia. Awareness of specific products was low, with only 10 % familiar with specific cannabis products. Three-quarters of respondents (84.4 %) did not prescribe MC routinely. Legal status and regulations were unclear for most participants; 40 % noted cannabis as illegal. MC use and patient requests were more common in high-income countries and the EURO region, with palliative care providers demonstrating the highest awareness and prescription rates. CONCLUSION: Clearer regulations, standardized guidelines, and targeted education are essential to support the safe integration of MC into oncology and palliative care, ultimately improving the quality of life for cancer patients.
Original languageEnglish
Article number115158
Number of pages6
JournalEuropean Journal of Cancer
Volume215
Early online date30 Nov 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 17 Jan 2025

Keywords

  • Cannabis
  • Global oncology
  • Legislative barriers
  • Medical cannabis
  • Palliative care

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