Cannabis During Breast Cancer Treatments: What Are the Benefits?

cannabis during breast cancer

Breast cancer is a form of cancer that begins in the breast bone area. It occurs as a result of the inability of the body's old cells to die thereby creating malignant tumors. This process is a result of the mutation of the DNA present in these cells.

Breast cancer usually begins in the breast ducts responsible for transporting milk though it is also common for it to begin in the milk-producing glands. These two locations are the most common places where cancer occurs in the breast though it is also possible to find it in other areas of the breast. Breast cancer is most common in women and it is estimated that 1 in every 8 women is diagnosed with it. On the other hand, men can sometimes be diagnosed with breast cancer but the incidence of such is a lot lower compared to that of women.

Breast cancer can usually be treated especially if it is discovered in its initial stage. This can be done through the use of several treatment options such as radiotherapy, chemotherapy, cancer drugs among others. The usage of medical cannabis is slowly being accepted as an option as it is now acknowledged by many that medical cannabis helps in the alleviation of most cancer and chemotherapy symptoms.

Though there are still issues surrounding the legalization of medical cannabis, there are some countries and about 31 states in the US where its use is accepted and integrated into normal treatment plans for patients. Cannabis has been proven to play a significant role in the treatment and management of cancer and cancer symptoms. Below, I'll take it a step further and analyze the relationship between cannabis and cancer, the several benefits patients stand to gain from incorporating medical cannabis into their treatment regimen, the precautions to take to avoid side effects, etc. Read on!

Cannabis and cancer

Getting a positive diagnosis of any form of cancer is a life-altering event as it not only brings fear into the picture but also uncertainties and the need to cope with new realities. These new realities could be in the form of numerous hospital appointments, energy-depleting treatments, side effects, and the mental stress of coping with it all, in addition to trying to continue your normal day to day activities.

This conundrum is why the majority of people with cancer look as though they carry the weight of the world on their shoulders. Cancer takes a huge toll on the body. A lot of extensive studies have been conducted to unearth different treatment options for cancer. Although a cure isn't available yet the progress that has been made can't be overemphasized. Recently, one of the numerous substances that have shown significant promise in the management of cancer and symptoms during cancer treatment is cannabis.

The potential of cannabis as a therapeutic agent in the treatment of several symptoms is one of the attributes that make it so valuable. With the significant advancements in medical research, the value of cannabis has risen astronomically in the medical world. The majority are learning and seeing the role cannabis can play not just in the treatment of several ailments but also in the management of symptoms.

The use of cannabis during cancer treatments is usually tied to the alleviation of its major symptoms such as

Anxiety

pain

nausea resulting from chemotherapy

insomnia, etc

Cannabis has been shown to be effective in addressing these symptoms and side effects in individuals battling cancer.

A detailed analysis

A few important organizations such as the American Cancer Society have looked into the possibility of using and harnessing any benefits that cannabis has for the treatment of cancer in general. Numerous clinical trials and studies have been conducted, it has been found that cannabinoids are safe for the treatment of cancer.

This is further substantiated in a 2019 abstract that gives evidence that cannabinoids may delay the growth of tumors causing breast cancer, especially in estrogen-positive cancer though it is also quite active against the triple-negative and non-estrogen cancer types.

Research on the effects of cannabinoids on breast cancer was mostly concentrated on cannabinoids such as delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), cannabichromene (CBC), cannabigerol (CBG), and cannabidiol (CBD). Of the above, it was found that CBD was the most effective cannabinoid to work as an antitumor agent and that the cannabinoid receptors (CB1 and CB2) are activated and usually involved in the process. Endocannabinoids are also involved in the process as they aid the elimination of cancer cells and the prevention of cells multiplying.

A lot of patients who use medical cannabis in their fight against cancer have already testified to its effectiveness in

boosting their energy levels

reducing pain

Increasing their appetite

And helping with their nausea.

It should be noted that there are different strains of cannabis, and some strains are better equipped to deal with certain symptoms than others.

The majority tend to lean towards CBD oil and extracts than strains rich in THC because of the euphoric and psychoactive effects of the latter that is absent in the former. Medical cannabis comes in several forms and it is up to a patient to choose the form they prefer, edibles, tinctures, pills, oils, topicals, and so on. All forms work, the only thing that distinguishes them are little things like onsets of action, etc.

Bottom line

If you wish to adopt the usage of medical marijuana in your fight against breast cancer, you should ensure that you check the laws of your locality, speak with your doctor to know if you can use it and possibly get a prescription, and lastly ensure you purchase your medical cannabis from a certified dispensary. These are quite important because you might get into trouble with the law or experience certain side effects as a result of the interaction of medical cannabis with your normal drugs, etc if you aren't cautious. You should also ensure that you make sufficient research about your available options before ultimately making a decision.