Medscape September 12, 2025
TOPLINE:
About 1 in 10 veterans with early-stage cancer developed new persistent opioid use after curative‐intent surgery, though less than 1% were diagnosed with opioid use disorder.
METHODOLOGY:
- Although effective pain control during cancer treatment is vital, prescribing opioids in this context may contribute to unsafe, long-term use and related adverse outcomes. Veterans, who have higher-than-average rates of mental health and substance use disorders, may be at particular risk for adverse events from opioid use related to cancer treatment.
- Researchers conducted a national retrospective cohort study of 9213 US veterans (98% men) with stage 0-III cancer who were opioid-naive and underwent curative-intent surgery at Veterans Affairs medical centers between 2015 and 2016. Prostate (n = 2594; 28%), colorectal (n...
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