Cancer

CANCER

Medical Marijuana may be used to alleviate symptoms associated with cancer and cancer therapies, such as pain, nausea, and fatigue. The use of cannabis as a proactive treatment to kill cancer cells is under research.

What is cancer?

Cancer is when cells multiply uncontrollably and affect the function of the rest of the body. The National Cancer Institute estimates that approximately38.4% of men and women will be diagnosed with cancer at some point during their lifetime.

There are more than 100 different known types of cancer, some of them being:

• Carcinoma
• Leukemia
• Lymphoma
• Melanoma
• Multiple myeloma
• Sarcoma

Treatment can involve a number of different therapies, including: surgery, radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, stem cell transplants, precision medicine, or a combination of several treatments.

CANCER SYMPTOMS

Cancer symptoms vary based on the type of cancer and may include:

• Abdominal pain
• Appetite changes and/or difficulty eating
• Changes in bowel or urination habits
• Fatigue
• Hoarseness or a cough that does not go away
• Night sweats
• Slow healing
• Skin changes (such as a new mole or change in an existing mole, a thickening or lump on or under the skin, or a change in skin texture)
• Unusual bleeding or discharge

Traditional cancer treatment methods and medications may also carry significant side effects, including:

• Bleeding and bruising
• Fatigue
• Loss of appetite
• Memory or concentration problems
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain and/or nerve problems
• Trouble sleeping

HOW MEDICAL MARIJUANA HELPS CANCER PATIENTS

National Cancer Institute has claimed that cannabis treats wide variety of disease symptoms and “has been shown to kill cancer cells.” However, a recent survey shows that of over 900 cancer patients, less than 15% were given counseling about medical marijuana from their physician or nurse.

The side effects of cancer treatment that have been reduced with cannabis use are:

• Anxiety
• Depression
• Loss of appetite
• Nausea and vomiting
• Pain and/or nerve damage (neuropathy)

There is also research that suggests that cannabis may be able to inhibit tumor invasion as well as cause cell death. One study found that cannabidiol (CBD) induces endoplasmic reticulum stress and inhibiting cell-signaling, causing cell death.

In addition, there has been evidence that CBD has a cancer-protective effect and reduces cell proliferation in colon cancer studies.