An observational study focusing on U.S. Veterans revealed a concerning trend of long-term opioid prescriptions among patients initially opioid-naïve before curative-intent cancer surgery. These insights underscore the complexity of balancing effective post-operative pain control with the rising risk of opioid dependency, especially within the vulnerable early-stage cancer population. This research highlights an urgent need for optimized pain management strategies to minimize chronic opioid use after curative surgical interventions.