Is cannabis now winning the battle against cervical cancer?

Cervical cancer affects the cervix, the part of the uterus that connects to the female genitals.

This cancer begins on the surface of the cervix as cells begin to multiply and some turn into precancerous cells or lesions. According to the World Health Organization, this is the fourth most common type of cancer in women. Most of these cases are due to exposure to the human papillomavirus (HPV), one of the most prevalent sexually transmitted diseases. In some cases, HPV can go away on its own, although persistent infection can lead to cervical cancer.

Treatments for cervical cancer include chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, or a combination of two. The type of treatment needed for cervical cancer depends on the severity of the condition. However, the prognosis for women with cervical cancer is highly dependent on the stage of the cancer; Over 90% of women diagnosed with stage 0 cancer can survive another 5 years, and these numbers are falling rapidly as the cancer has spread.

How cannabis can help

There are some studies showing how cannabis can help women with cervical cancer. In one analysis, 83% of 31 women with the condition reported that using medicinal cannabis was beneficial in treating their cancer and relieving symptoms caused by treatment, such as: B. reduction in opioid use, loss of appetite, anxiety, nausea, insomnia and pain, and more.

Another study found that cannabidiol (CBD) use in women in South Africa was effective in inducing apoptosis, or cancer cell self-kill, in cervical cancer patients. The researchers believe that CBD was effective in doing this by activating a Bcl-2 degradation pathway that promotes the effects of cancer cells killing themselves.

There is also another popular study from 2016 conducted by researchers from the Department of Biological Sciences at Kent State University. They analyzed the effects of CBD on cervical cancer cell lines and found that CBD effectively inhibited these cell lines while promoting apoptosis within an impressive 24 hours of CBD exposure. Researchers concluded that CBD is antiproliferative through multiple mechanisms and has potential as a treatment for cervical cancer. Also in 2016, a study published in the BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine Journal found that raw cannabis sativa extracts and CBD effectively reduced cancer cell viability while halting proliferation when tested on three cervical cancer cell lines.

There are also documented anecdotal cases, like this New Zealand woman who says cannabis helped cure her stage 2 cervical cancer. According to Shona Leigh, her doctors advised her to undergo chemotherapy, although she rejected her doctors’ recommendations and instead discovered the benefits of cannabis oil. She revealed to the Daily Mercury that her cancer was cured after taking cannabis oil.

Cannabis for the side effects of chemotherapy for cervical cancer

Women undergoing cervical cancer chemotherapy can experience some of the uncomfortable side effects commonly associated with this treatment. Cannabis can also help and improve prognosis as it can mitigate the effects that sometimes prevent people from continuing with chemotherapy.

There are many studies showing the effectiveness of cannabis in the side effects of chemotherapy. A 2020 study was conducted by researchers from the University of Sydney along with the NHMRC Clinical Trials Center and the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. Researchers found large improvements in patients suffering from nausea and vomiting due to chemotherapy in a quarter of patients using medicinal cannabis. “These encouraging results suggest that medical cannabis may help improve the quality of life for chemotherapy patients,” said Associate Professor Peter Grimison. “Nausea and vomiting are among the most distressing and feared consequences of chemotherapy,” he adds.

A 2014 study showed that using CBD was helpful in relieving neuropathic pain, one of the side effects of chemotherapy. The study involved administering chemotherapy drugs to healthy mice three times a week for 10 weeks. Half of the mice also received CBD along with chemotherapy, and it was found that the chemotherapy made the mice more sensitive to stimuli. However, it was found that those given CBD had a higher pain threshold.

Tips for patients with cervical cancer

If you’re interested in incorporating cannabis into your cervical cancer treatment, it’s always a good idea to let your oncologist know in advance. Working with a doctor who is knowledgeable about the use of medical marijuana can help you navigate the often overwhelming world of medication, especially for first-time users. This is especially critical if you are taking other medications such as blood thinners, as cannabis use can have drug interactions.

While there have been patients who have eschewed conventional treatment altogether, there is insufficient evidence that medical marijuana alone can treat terminal illnesses such as any type of cancer. For this reason, cannabis can work best in conjunction with other treatments recommended by your healthcare provider. Feel free to ask your doctor as many questions as you need to feel confident about using marijuana to treat cervical cancer. It is available in many forms, but for end-stage patients, smoking or vaping may not be the best route of administration. Instead, opt for edibles, oils, and sublinguals that are safer to ingest and gentler on the body.

Further research into the use of cannabis in different types of cancer is ongoing, although the existing evidence that we have supports the potential use of cannabis as an adjunctive treatment for cancer. CBD and cannabis products can have life-changing benefits for those struggling with the Big C.

MEDICAL MARIJUANA FOR DETERMINATION CANCER, READ MORE…

CANNABIS AND CERVICAL CANCER RESEARCH WHAT WE KNOW NOW!

OR..

MARIJUANA STRAINS FOR TEERATING CANCER PATIENTS!