A new study published in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship sheds light on the prevalence and motives driving cannabis utilization among individuals who have triumphed over cancer.
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Insights From the Study
- Conducted at a comprehensive cancer center in Houston, Texas, the study engaged 1,886 participants from 41 U.S. states undergoing cancer treatment.
- Notably, the research found that 17.4% of respondents were current cannabis users, 30.5% were former users, and 52.2% had never used marijuana.
- Among the 510 participants who turned to cannabis after their cancer diagnosis, 60% cited managing sleep disturbances, 51% pain, 44% stress, 34% nausea, and 32% mood disorders or depression as reasons, as per Marijuana Moment.
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Evaluating Cannabis as Symptomatic Relief
Encouragingly, a substantial proportion reported significant symptomatic improvement, with 47.7% finding marijuana effective for cancer itself to a great extent, and 74% of those using it for nausea and vomiting perceiving substantial benefits.
However, the study also unveiled a low awareness among participants of potential health risks associated with cannabis use during cancer treatment. Only 1 in 10 participants were aware of such risks, including suicidal thoughts (5%), intense nausea and vomiting (6%), depression (11%), anxiety (14%), breathing problems (31%), and drug interactions (35%).
Recommendations from the Authors: Policy And Education
Researchers from the University of Texas’s MD Anderson Cancer Center emphasized the immediate need for medical guidance on cannabis use within the broader context of cancer treatment.
“With most survivors reporting benefits from cannabis use in cancer management, there is a need for more studies to strengthen current evidence on cannabis therapeutics,” they stressed, also calling for the development of policies, clear guidelines, and educational programs for healthcare providers and survivors regarding the use, benefits, and risks of cannabis in cancer management.
As the medical community grapples with these findings, noteworthy industry players, including Verano Holdings Corp. VRNOF and TILT Holdings Inc. TLLTF, along with its subsidiary Standard Farms, have recently contributed to breast cancer awareness initiatives.
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Image by El Planteo
