It remains to be seen whether medicinal cannabis can be used directly to treat cancer, but we should not forget that medicinal cannabis may have a positive effect on the overall well-being of patients with cancer-related conditions.
There are a number of ways medical cannabis can improve the quality of life of patients. These include improving sleep and appetite, reducing pain, reducing muscle spasms, and reducing anxiety.
Cancer treatments such as chemotherapy and radiotherapy may also be eased by medicinal cannabis.
Medicinal cannabis can help when regular medicine hasn’t worked or when the side effects of regular medicine are becoming too much to deal with. A study published in 2017 on the use of medicinal cannabis by cancer patients showed that medicinal cannabis improved pain and overall quality of life. In addition, it improves a variety of other symptoms.
When living with a disease that can be painful and difficult to treat, managing pain and other symptoms is essential. This is where medicinal cannabis can be helpful.
One in two people develops some form of cancer during their lifetime. Cancer is a very debilitating disease on its own, and the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy are also very tiring. As a result, it is crucial to find treatment options that improve patients’ quality of life.
Additionally, oncologists believe that patients who feel happy and comfortable are more likely to beat cancer. To do that, it’s important to take care of symptoms like pain and sickness.
What cancer treatment options are available?
There are many treatment methods available depending on the type of cancer. The initial step is usually surgery to completely remove the malignant cells and tissue. However, there are two different methods of treatment that are commonly used:
- Chemotherapy: powerful prescription medicines
- Radiotherapy: controlled use of high-energy X-rays
Both types of treatment have severe adverse effects and can cause significant discomfort in the patient. Chemotherapy has the following adverse effects:
- Anaemia (low iron count)
- Bruising and bleeding nose/gums
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
- Lowered immune system
- Nausea
- Sore mouth
- Diarrhoea and constipation
- Emotional instability
- Memory and concentration problems
- Sex and fertility issues
- Skin and nail changes
- Sleep problems
- Sore mouth
Radiotherapy also has its own range of side effects:
- Diarrhoea
- Emotional instability
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Lymphoedema (damage to the network of channels and glands that form part of your immune system, resulting in pain and swelling)
- Nausea
- Problems eating and drinking
- Sex and fertility issues
- Small chance of developing another form of cancer later in life
- Sore skin
- Stiff joints and muscles
Because of the potential for side effects, these treatments are often reserved for advanced forms of cancer where surgery has failed.
How might medicinal Cannabis might help with cancer pain?
Medicinal cannabis can provide an alternate type of relief in circumstances when traditional therapy has failed or the adverse effects of conventional treatment have become difficult to manage. According to one study, cancer patients could benefit from a novel medication created from cannabis extract.
Researchers discovered that the oral spray reduced pain by 30% in a group of cancer patients who had not been treated by morphine or other medications.
Finding techniques to control pain and other symptoms is critical for an illness where even treatment can be uncomfortable and difficult to manage. That is where medicinal cannabis can help.
At CPGUK, we offer information and support about the possible treatment options and patients who are looking for specialist doctors. We can guide you through the medicinal cannabis treatment evidence in the UK, and the research by academics and advocates.