Cancer

Cancer pain is a common symptom of cancer or cancer treatment and can manifest in a variety of ways. The level of pain ranges between mild, moderate and severe, and can be in the form of sharp stabbing pains, tingling or burning sensations, as well as a persistent aching in various parts of the body.

According to Macmillan Cancer Support, there are 3 million people in the UK living with cancer, and this is expected to rise to 5.3 million by 2040. On average, someone is diagnosed with cancer every 90 seconds. While there have been huge advances in cancer treatment, it’s still a hugely prevalent and devastatingly destructive disease. Inevitably, patients have looked at ways of managing pain with complementary treatment options, including THC, which potentially has a role to play in long-term pain relief.

Cancer pain is one symptom of cancer that can most negatively affect the quality of life of cancer patients, which is why there is so much research being conducted to find new, complementary treatments. An increasing amount of that research is focusing on the potential benefits of medical cannabis, and the results so far are certainly encouraging.

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are distressing side effects commonly experienced by individuals undergoing chemotherapy. These symptoms can significantly impact the quality of life, overall health, and treatment outcomes for cancer patients. In recent years, there has been growing interest in exploring alternative and complementary therapies to manage CINV effectively. One such potential option is medical cannabis, and in particular, CBD oil. This is a rich source of cannabidiol, a non-psychoactive compound derived from the cannabis plant.

While medical cannabis should never be viewed as a straight-out cure to cancer, it has long been recognised as an effective treatment option, and a powerful addition to any holistic cancer treatment plan to help manage the symptoms of cancer and the side effects of some of its treatments. Holding a medical card is not a legal requirement here in the UK, but it is a great way to ensure that patients are protected and safe from any legal issues.

As public interest in medical cannabis continues to grow, so does the number of people intrigued by its potential medical benefits. However, the abundance of information available online can often leave the general public perplexed, even frustrated, particularly when it comes to understanding cannabis as a potential complementary treatment option for cancer.