A new study suggests that cancer survivors who experience pain may be more likely to use cigarettes and cannabis. Published in Cancer, the research highlights a connection between pain, substance use, and overall health in this group.
How Pain and Substance Use Are Connected
People who have survived cancer often experience long-term pain, which can affect their daily lives. The study analyzed data from two national surveys in the United States to understand how pain relates to the use of substances like cigarettes, e-cigarettes, alcohol, and cannabis.
Researchers examined:
- 1,252 adults from the 2021 Population Assessment of Tobacco and Health (PATH) Study.
- 4,130 adults from the 2020 National Health Interview Survey.
Findings from the PATH data showed that survivors with higher pain levels in the past week were more likely to smoke cigarettes, use e-cigarettes, and consume cannabis. However, they were less likely to drink alcohol.
The National Health Interview Survey revealed that chronic pain was linked to a higher likelihood of cigarette smoking and a lower likelihood of alcohol use. In both studies, smoking and pain were connected to fatigue, sleep difficulties, poor mental and physical health, and a lower quality of life.
Breaking the Cycle
Dr. Jessica M. Powers, the study’s lead author from Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine, emphasized the importance of treating pain and substance use together.
“Pain can lead to substance use, and substance use can make pain worse, creating a cycle that is difficult to escape,” she explained.
Many cancer survivors may turn to smoking or other substances for temporary relief, but this can have serious health risks. Smoking, for example, can make cancer treatments less effective and increase the chances of cancer returning.
The Need for Better Pain Management
The study highlights the need for healthcare providers to address both pain and substance use in cancer survivors. Instead of relying on harmful coping strategies, survivors should have access to safer, more effective pain management options.
By recognizing the link between pain and substance use, doctors can help improve the quality of life for cancer survivors and reduce their long-term health risks.
For more information about cancer, please see recent studies about the link between dairy food and certain cancers and this common food chemicals may cause cancer.
For more information about cancer, please see recent studies that plant-based diets may reduce risk of colorectal cancer in men, and Low-fat diet may help stop cancer growth.
The research findings can be found in Cancer.
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