An extensive evaluation of medical cannabis’ benefits in treating cancer-related pain revealed that measures of pain improved significantly for most oncology patients and other symptoms were reduced significantly, consumption of painkillers was decreased and minimal side effects occurred.
These findings demonstrate that medicinal cannabis could provide a safe alternative to pain relief medications typically prescribed to individuals living with cancer.
Pain, insomnia, anxiety and depression are among the leading sources of disability and suffering for oncology patients while receiving treatments; their side effects could even result in worsened prognoses.
Pain related to cancer is commonly managed using opioid analgesics; however, many oncologists see these treatments as dangerous; therefore alternative solutions must be pursued.
This study assessed medical cannabis’ potential advantages for relieving cancer-related pain in oncology patients; collecting information at both its inception and subsequent follow-up sessions to provide an in-depth examination of its impact.
After conducting interviews with several individuals suffering from cancer who were seeking alternative pain and symptom relief methods, researchers extensively assessed medicinal cannabis’ potential advantages.
They encountered many individuals living with cancer who wanted to know if medical cannabis treatment could benefit their health. A review of existing research showed that very little was known about its efficacy for treating pain related to cancer and most results were inconclusive.
Certified oncologists were recruited and were authorized to issue medical cannabis licenses to cancer patients they treated. When patients expressed interest, certified oncologists referred them for this study where they provided data regarding the characteristics of their disease.
Questionnaires were completed anonymously before beginning treatment, as well as several times over the following six months. Data was gathered on factors including side effects, sexual issues, cancer symptom burden, analgesics consumption and pain measures.
Data analysis demonstrated improvements in several outcome measures, with reduced cancer symptoms and pain levels, with about half of participants quitting all analgesic medications after 6 months of medicinal cannabis therapy.
Medical cannabis has long been touted as an appetite loss remedy; yet most individuals in this study still experienced weight loss. A decline may also be related to disease progression as many were living with progressive cancers.
Sexual function improved for most men but worsened for most women.
Although this study provided significant additional medical cannabis insights, due to differences in age, sex, ethnicity, types and stages of cancer there were numerous individuals represented within its scope.
