Cannabis Use and Adverse Childhood Experiences Among Cancer Survivors

Objective To examine the association between adverse childhood events (ACEs) and cannabis use among adult cancer survivors in the United States. Methods We conducted a cross‐sectional study of cancer survivors ≥ 18 years old using 2020 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. ACEs were categorized as 0, 1, 2–3, and ≥ 4. Weighted multivariable logistic regression estimated the odds of cannabis use by ACE category. Results Among 7896 cancer survivors, cannabis use prevalence was 6.0%. ACE distribution was 44.1% (0), 22.7% (1), 20.2% (2–3), and 13.0% (≥ 4). Cannabis use was more common among younger adults, Hispanics, never‐married individuals, smokers, and those reporting fair/poor health. Compared to those with 0 ACEs, cancer survivors with 2–3 ACEs (aOR: 2.56, 95% CI: 1.57–4.27) and ≥ 4 ACEs (aOR: 4.10, 95% CI: 2.54–6.64) had significantly higher odds of cannabis use. Conclusions Cancer survivors with a higher number of ACEs reported increased odds of cannabis use. These findings support further study of ACEs and substance use in cancer survivors and may inform trauma‐informed survivorship care.