A recent study in the Journal of Cancer Survivorship has uncovered new insights into cannabis use among individuals who have battled cancer.
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Key Findings of the Study
- Conducted at a comprehensive cancer center in Houston, Texas, the research involved 1,886 participants from 41 U.S. states undergoing cancer treatment.
- The study revealed 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, a significant percentage cited managing sleep disturbances, pain, stress, nausea, and mood disorders or depression as reasons for use.
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Examining Cannabis as Symptomatic Relief
Encouragingly, a substantial proportion reported significant symptomatic improvement, with a high percentage finding marijuana effective for cancer-related symptoms and side effects.
However, the study also uncovered low awareness among participants of potential health risks associated with cannabis use during cancer treatment.
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 navigates these findings, notable industry players in the cannabis space have been contributing to breast cancer awareness initiatives.
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