When patients have questions about breast cancer therapies or prescribed medications, their provider typically has all the answers. However, when a patient asks about using cannabis during treatment, clinicians may find it harder to advise them on the impacts to their disease and overall health.

During the 2024 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium^®, a panel of experts will address uncertainty surrounding that topic and others, including supplement use, sexual health, and exercise during treatment. The special session Sex, Drugs, Rock and Roll will take place Tuesday, December 10, at 12 p.m. CT in Stars at Night Ballroom 1 & 2 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center.

“Our goal in this session is to provide some information and discussion on topics of interest to women and men with breast cancer about factors that may be within their control and for which there may be some confusion or conflicting evidence,” said session moderator Christine Ambrosone, PhD, Jayne and Phil Hubbell Family Endowed Chair in Cancer Prevention and Chair of the Department of Cancer Prevention and Control at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center in Buffalo, New York.

Heather Greenlee, ND, PhD, MPH, of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center in Seattle, will explore considerations related to the use of cannabis and supplements.

“The question of taking dietary supplements, herbals, or vitamins is still surrounded by a lack of clarity,” Dr. Ambrosone said. “And while we know that tobacco is harmful for anyone, and even worse for people with cancer, there is not clear or consistent evidence for the use of cannabis, particularly to relieve side effects of treatment. Dr. Greenlee is an expert on these topics.”

Don Dizon, MD, of the Legorreta Cancer Center at Brown University/Lifespan Cancer Institute in Providence, Rhode Island, will discuss questions patients may have related to their sexual health.

“Dr. Dizon is an oncologist who specializes in women’s cancers. To many, he’s best known for his work promoting sexual health after cancer treatment for both women and men, and his advocacy for LGBTQ people living with cancer,” Dr. Ambrosone said. “We know that sexual function problems may be affected by cancer and its treatments, but the psychosocial and mental health effects of cancer can also affect sexual function, and Dr. Dizon will share his expertise on these topics.”

Rikki Cannioto, PhD, EdD, MS, of the Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, will talk about the current science and questions related to exercise during cancer treatment.

“There is solid evidence that physical activity improves quality of life and improves outcomes in people with cancer, but questions remain of how much and how often is required to get the health effects,” Dr. Ambrosone said. “Dr. Cannioto is an exercise physiologist and an epidemiologist who has been working in this field for a number of years. Her talk will address the importance of physical activity on well-being and survival outcomes as well as her research in disentangling the effects of exercise from body size and body composition.”

Lawrence Kushi, ScD, of Kaiser Permanente Northern California in Oakland, will discuss what is currently known about how breast cancer outcomes may be influenced by what people eat and drink.

“Dr. Kushi is a renowned nutritional epidemiologist who has been conducting research in this field for a number of years, and he will provide a thorough overview of what is known to date,” Dr. Ambrosone said.

Patient advocate Tomika Bryant, of King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, will join the speakers for a panel discussion to conclude the session.

“At the end of the session, we hope to have provided enough information to help clinicians have informed conversations with their patients about topics patients may be hesitant to discuss,” Dr. Ambrosone said. “We want people with breast cancer to be able to make informed decisions about lifestyle choices, especially factors that may improve their outcomes and enhance their quality of life.”