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Cancer and the Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: An update of the systematic review by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2017) Consensus Study Report

Version: N/A ID: ES 23-2 Jun 2020
Type of Content: Guidelines & Advice
Document Status: Current
Authors:
W.K. Evans, L.D. Durocher-Allen, P. Daeninck, D. Hammond, A. Lofters, P. Selby, M. Slaven

Guideline Objective:

The objective of this evidence summary is to build on the NASEM consensus document and to evaluate and add to it updated evidence on the health effects of cannabis and cannabinoids specific to cancer. This evidence will be used to support a position from OH (CCO) to respond to requests from the public and clinical community and to help in the development of knowledge products for healthcare providers and patients.

Patient Population:

  1. People with cancer using cannabis or cannabinoids as a treatment for cancer or for symptom management while undergoing treatment and/or palliative care.
  2. People who use cannabis and/or cannabinoids (with respect to the risk of developing cancer).

Intended Guideline Users:

Policy makers who wish to provide guidance to the public and the clinical community regarding the use and potential risks of cannabis related to cancer.

Research Questions:

Question 1: Are cannabis or cannabinoids effective treatments for the reduction of chronic pain from cancer?
Question 2: Are cannabis or cannabinoids effective treatments for cancer?
Question 3: Are cannabis or cannabinoids effective treatments for the reduction of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting?
Question 4: Are cannabis or cannabinoids effective treatments for anorexia and weight loss associated with cancer-associated anorexia-cachexia syndrome
Question 5: Is there an association between cannabis use and the incidence of:

  1. lung cancer?
  2. head and neck cancer?
  3. testicular cancer?
  4. esophageal cancers?
  5. other cancers in adults?

Question 6: Is there an association between cannabis use and the incidence of cancer in offspring?
Question 7: Are cannabis or cannabinoids effective treatments for spasticity associated with spinal cord injury in people with cancer?

 

pdf download Full Report (PDF) (573.41 KB)