The results published in the article show that individuals with opioid use disorder have an increased incidence of cancer compared to the general population. In particular, there were more frequent occurrences of cancers in the liver, lungs, and pancreas (pancreatic cancer). Among individuals with opioid use disorder who developed cancer, mortality was about twice as high compared with the general population. The survival time (one-year survival) from the point of diagnosis to death was also somewhat lower in the group with opioid use disorder.
The findings indicate that individuals with opioid use disorder have both a higher incidence of cancer and increased mortality from cancer. Collectively, this suggests that treatment services in contact with individuals with opioid use disorder should focus on somatic health, including health screenings that can help detect cancer at an early stage, and assist in ensuring that the person receives adequate treatment as quickly as possible after a cancer diagnosis is made.