One-Quarter of Cancer Patients Find Relief with Medical Cannabis

A new study indicates that up to one-fourth of cancer patients consume medical cannabis to treat themselves. That number could be much higher, but the study also found that cancer patients aren’t being offered adequate information about medical cannabis from their doctors.

The study, “Cannabis Use among Patients at a Comprehensive Cancer Center in a State with Legalized Medicinal and Recreational Use,” was published in the online journal CANCER on September 25.

A research team from Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center surveyed 926 patients from the Seattle Cancer Center Alliance. Seventy-four percent wanted information about medical cannabis from cancer care providers. Sixty-six percent admitted to have consumed medical cannabis at least once in the past, and 24 percent said they had consumed cannabis in the last year. Twenty-one percent said they had consumed cannabis in the last month.

The study was led by Steven A. Pergam, MD, MPH. “Cancer patients desire but are not receiving information from their cancer doctors about marijuana use during their treatment, so many of them are seeking information from alternate non-scientific sources,” Dr. Pergam stated in a press release. He stressed that cannabis may be dangerous for some cancer patients or lead to unwanted side effects. “We hope that this study helps to open up the door for more studies aimed at evaluating the risks and benefits of marijuana in this population. This is important, because if we do not educate our patients about marijuana, they will continue to get their information elsewhere.”

The peer-reviewed journal CANCER is produced by the American Cancer Society. Unfortunately, the American Cancer Society still refuses to accept charity donations from cannabis businesses while accepting donations from pharmaceutical drug companies.

The study confirms that medical cannabis is a growing trend that can serve as a solid treatment option. The National Cannabis Institute lists the many ways in which medical cannabis can help cancer patients.