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Cannabis for Cancer

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Last updated on Dec 10, 2024

Created on Jun 14, 2019

breast cancer patient survivor

Cancer doesn’t play favorites — it affects millions, regardless of age, gender, or background, and can strike nearly every organ in the body. In the United States alone, 2024 is expected to bring over two million new diagnoses and, sadly, more than 600,000 cancer deaths.

The most common culprits in bringing new cancer cases to the forefront? Breast, prostate, lung, and skin cancers — among many others, including colon cancer, oral cancers and testicular cancer.

At its core, cancer is a rogue disease — essentially cancerous cells gone haywire, growing out of control. While every type of cancer is different, they all share a troublesome ability to spread and wreak havoc. Treatments like cancer chemotherapy aim to slow or kill these rebellious cells, but the battle doesn’t stop there.

Enter cannabinoids — the compounds found in cannabis — which are showing promise not only for targeting cancer cells but also for easing the bruta common side effects of chemotherapy, such as chronic pain, insomnia, nausea/vomiting, appetite loss, and headaches or migraines.

With the correct ratios, cannabinoids may even instruct cancer cells to shut down, making them a potential key player in the fight against this terrible illness. Imagine a future where cannabinoids play a central role, not only as a treatment but also as a powerful tool to alleviate the punishing symptoms of both cancer and chemotherapy.

Interestingly, the resurgence of medical cannabis in the late 20th century owes much to AIDS patients searching for relief from cancer, glaucoma, epilepsy, and AIDS/HIV. These people — AIDS patients and others — were responsible for movements that helped pave the way for the accepted medical use of cannabis, giving hope to those in need of alternative cancer therapies.

Cancer Causes

Cancer doesn’t have one single cause — it’s the result of a mix of factors that can range from genetics and lifestyle to environmental exposures. While some risk factors, like diet and exercise, are within our control, others, like age or genetics, are not.

Cancer can be triggered by everything from pollutants and chemicals to infections and inflammation, making it nearly impossible to pin down just one source. It’s a complex disease with many contributors, and that’s part of what makes it such a tough challenge to tackle.

Some of the many risk factors and causes for cancer include:

  • Genetics
  • Age
  • Smoking
  • Alcohol use
  • Obesity
  • Lack of physical activity and exercise
  • High intake of salt, fat, and red & processed meats
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Air pollution and other types of pollutants
  • Overexposure to sunlight
  • Organ transplant (rare)
  • Maternal-fetal transmission (rare)
  • Physical trauma (rare)
  • Exposure to carcinogenic materials such as asbestos, nickel, and arsenic
  • Exposure to carcinogenic chemicals
  • Exposure to high levels of radiation

Certain medical conditions are also linked to increased rates of cancer in some populations:

  • Chronic inflammation: Certain medical conditions like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, or chronic hepatitis can lead to prolonged inflammation, which increases the risk of cancers such as colon, liver, or esophageal cancer.
  • Immunosuppressive conditions: People with weakened immune systems, such as AIDS patients or those who have undergone organ transplants and are on immunosuppressive medications, are more vulnerable to cancers like Kaposi sarcoma or lymphoma.
  • Infections: Certain infections, such as human papillomavirus (HPV), hepatitis B or C, and Helicobacter pylori, are linked to cancers like cervical, liver, and stomach cancer, respectively.
  • Hormonal imbalances: Certain medical conditions like polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) or high estrogen levels can increase the risk of cancers like endometrial or breast cancer.

Cancer Symptoms & Health Effects

Cancer symptoms can be subtle or vary depending on the cancer type, but some signs are more common across different forms of the disease.

Symptoms like unexplained weight loss, fatigue, or unusual lumps are signals your body may send when something isn’t right.

Because cancer can affect many areas of the body, it can present in many ways, making it important to pay attention to any persistent changes in your health and consult a doctor if needed.

Some of the more common symptoms you may experience are:

  • Coughing, chest pain, and breathlessness
  • Changes in bowel habits
  • Pain and discomfort in the stomach
  • Back pain
  • Bloating
  • Bleeding
  • Lumps
  • Moles
  • Unexplained weight loss
  • Indigestion and heartburn
  • Itchy skin
  • Yellowing skin
  • Fatigue
  • Feeling persistently unwell and increased risk of infection
  • Headaches/migraines
  • Unexplained anxiety and depression
  • Swelling in the lower abdomen, groin or scrotum (in the case of testicular cancer)
  • Neuropathic pain

Cancer Diagnosis

Diagnosing cancer often starts with your doctor asking about any symptoms like unexplained weight loss, unusual bleeding, or changes in lumps and moles. They’ll also review your personal and family health history.

After a physical exam, they might recommend further testing, such as lab work or imaging tests like X-rays or MRIs. Sometimes, a biopsy is needed to analyze tissue samples. Combining this information helps your doctor get a clearer picture and determine the next steps.

Catching cancer early can make a big difference, so it’s important to get checked if something feels off!

Laboratory Tests

  • Blood chemistry tests
  • Complete blood count (CBC)
  • Cytogenetic analysis
  • Immunophenotyping
  • Liquid biopsy
  • Sputum cytology
  • Tumor marker tests
  • Urinalysis
  • Urine cytology

Imaging Tests

  • CT scans
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)
  • Nuclear scan
  • Bone scan
  • Positron emission tomography (PET scan)
  • Ultrasound
  • X-rays

Biopsies and examinations

  • Biopsy with a needle
  • Biopsy with endoscopy (colonoscopy or bronchoscopy)
  • Surgery: incisional biopsy
  • Surgery: excisional biopsy

Some types of biopsy require anesthesia.

closeup of patient's arm with IV insertions

Cancer Prognosis

Cancer prognosis depends very much on the cancer type and the stage.

  • Stage 1: Early cancer where the tumor is small and has not spread beyond its original location. It is usually the most treatable and has the best prognosis​
  • Stage 2: The tumor has grown larger and may have spread to nearby lymph nodes, but it remains localized​
  • Stage 3: The cancer has grown deeper into surrounding tissues and has likely spread to nearby lymph nodes
  • Stage 4: The cancer has metastasized, meaning it has spread to distant organs or other parts of the body. This stage is the hardest to treat and is often referred to as “advanced” or “metastatic” cancer​

Other factors that can affect your prognosis include:

  • Age
  • The “grade” of the cancer, which refers to how abnormal the cancerous cells look under a microscope
  • Genetic changes to the cancerous cell
  • Hormonal changes
  • Individual response to treatment

Different cancers are given a specific period of time relative survival percentage, which may be one year, two years, five years, etc., with five years being the time period most often used.

In 2022, the average years of life lost due to cancer was 14.2, respectively.

Cancer Treatments

Many cancer treatments are usually administered at different stages of development. Surgery to remove the tumor, cancer chemotherapy, and radiation therapy (radiotherapy) are the most well-known treatments. Others include:

  • Bone marrow transplant
  • Hormone Therapy
  • Immunotherapy
  • Targeted drug therapy
  • Cryoablation
  • Radiofrequency ablation

Opioids are commonly prescribed for cancer pain. Although chemotherapy is often associated with cancer treatment, it is also sometimes used for multiple sclerosis (MS) treatment.

First-Line Treatments

First-line treatment depends on the cancer type. Often, it is one or more of surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy, given in succession. Other types of treatment include:

  • Biomarker testing for cancer treatment
  • Hormone therapy
  • Hyperthermia
  • Immunotherapy
  • Photodynamic therapy
  • Stem cell transplant
  • Targeted therapy

Other Treatments

Second-line treatments are not typical with cancer, as the first-line therapies are usually the most effective and have the fewest side effects.

Second-line cancer chemotherapy drugs and other treatment methods are usually given in clinical trials.

Adjunctive Therapy & Alternative Treatments

Alternative treatments are usually not recommended in place of traditional treatments when it comes to overcoming cancer.

There is no definitive evidence that multivitamins, vitamin B-17 (amygdalin) or other dietary (sometimes called “metabolic”) therapies work, although following a healthy diet can certainly be helpful.

However, holistic and adjunctive therapies can help manage some of the side-effects of cancer and cancer treatment, such as anxiety, depression, and pain. These include:

  • Exercise and physical activity: Regular physical activity is highly recommended for cancer patients, as it can help reduce fatigue, anxiety, and improve overall quality of life. Guidelines suggest exercise is a powerful non-pharmacological option to support mental and physical health during treatment​.
  • Healthy diet: Following a balanced diet rich in vegetables, healthy fats, and proteins while avoiding processed meats and excessive sugar is key to improving well-being during cancer treatment. This is often part of supportive care aimed at enhancing recovery and reducing treatment adverse events.
  • Meditation and mindfulness: Mindfulness-based interventions, such as meditation, are strongly recommended for cancer patients to manage anxiety and depression. Evidence shows that these practices can help reduce stress and improve emotional well-being.
  • Talking therapy: Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) and other forms of talking therapy are recommended to help patients cope with the emotional toll of cancer. These therapies can complement other treatments by addressing mental health concerns like anxiety and depression​
  • Cannabis and cannabidiol (CBD): While more clinical studies is needed, cannabis and CBD oil are increasingly discussed as adjunctive therapies for managing cancer-related symptoms such as pain and anxiety. Patients should consult their supportive care doctors, as cannabis and CBD oil and extract can interact with cancer medications​.

juringa de aceite junto a un plato con marihuana sobre fondo verde Rick Simpson Oil (RSO)

Cannabis for Cancer

Cannabis is widely used by cancer patients not only for managing chemotherapy side effects — like pain, nausea, and appetite loss — but also for its potential in fighting certain cancers, including bladder, brain, breast, colon, endocrine, kaposi sarcoma, leukemia, lung, prostate, and skin cancers.

Medical cannabis offers a promising alternative to opioids and anti-nausea medications due to its fewer side effects.

Several studies highlight the potential of cannabinoids in cancer treatment:

Although more scientific research is needed to understand how effective cannabis is for treating different cancer types, there’s already promising anecdotal and lab data suggesting it’s worth exploring further.

​​However, managing common side effects like low blood pressure, dizziness, and dry mouth becomes an essential consideration for doctors and patients, especially when combining cannabis with other treatments.

To grasp why cannabis might help with cancer, it’s helpful to know a bit about how cancer forms. At its core, cancer is simply uncontrolled cell growth. This happens because the normal processes that regulate cell growth get disrupted.

The genetic machinery inside cancerous cells changes, causing them to overproduce certain receptors, called growth factor receptors (GFRs), on their surfaces. These receptors act like antennas, picking up signals that fuel the cancer’s growth and spread. Many cancer drugs target these pathways to stop this process.

Some clinical studies have shown that cancerous cells also have cannabinoid receptors on their surfaces, which are part of the body’s endocannabinoid system. This system plays a crucial role in regulating various physiological processes like pain, mood, and immune responses.

The presence of these receptors suggests that cannabinoids — compounds found in cannabis — might be able to interact with the endocannabinoid system in ways that disrupt cancer growth. When cannabinoids bind to these receptors, they can potentially act like a trojan horse, sneaking into the cells and triggering processes that lead to cell death.

One key process involves the production of a compound called ceramide, which controls cell growth, differentiation, and death. In cancer cells, this might shut down the signaling pathways that drive their uncontrolled growth — pathways that are notoriously tough to target with traditional treatments.

Cannabis could be beneficial in treating cancer because certain types of cancer cells (though not all) have cannabinoid receptors that are linked to the endocannabinoid system. When cannabinoids interact with these receptors, they might instruct the cancer cells to slow down or even self-destruct.

In addition, terpenes and terpenoids, other compounds found in cannabis, have shown anti-cancer properties. This makes the endocannabinoid system a potential target for future cancer therapies, especially as research continues to uncover its role in managing cell growth and immune responses.

However, it’s important to remember that cannabis alone is unlikely to be enough to treat cancer. Chemotherapy and radiation are often still necessary. And because not all cancer cells have these cannabinoid receptors, cannabis may not work for all cancer types. Additionally, using the wrong cannabinoid ratio might either have no effect or, in some cancer cases, even encourage tumor growth.

Another consideration is that while cannabinoids can suppress the immune system, chemotherapy and radiation do the same. This means supportive care doctors must closely monitor patients to prevent potentially life-threatening infections. Patients undergoing immunotherapy should avoid cannabis for this reason.

As for treatment approaches, there’s still debate about whether it’s better to use high doses of cannabinoids and terpenes to maximize the “entourage effect” (as in the Rick Simpson method) or to use specific cannabinoid-terpene profiles for targeted therapy. Future scientific research will hopefully clarify these questions.

While using a synthetic cannabinoid may allow for even more precise cancer treatments, they also carry risks. Until more scientific research is conducted, we can’t be certain about the best path forward.

Cannabis Rescheduling

Cannabis is currently classified as a Schedule I substance by the federal government, putting it in the same category as drugs like heroin. This means it’s seen as having a high potential for abuse, no accepted medical use, and a lack of safety for medical use, despite its widespread recreational use.

Because of this classification, research into cannabis has been heavily restricted, especially when it comes to getting federal funding.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) oversees the approval of substances for medical use, but cannabis’s Schedule I status makes it much harder to study compared to other drugs.

This has particularly impacted large and small studies involving smoking marijuana, as researchers face a tough approval process involving agencies like the Food and Drug Administration and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

As a result, the amount of federally funded research is limited, even though there’s increasing evidence that cannabis can help with conditions like chronic pain, neuropathic pain, and epilepsy.

Without more research, especially on the effects of smoking marijuana, it’s hard to fully understand how cannabis could be used in modern medicine.

There is, however, growing optimism that cannabis could be rescheduled soon. Many advocates argue that it has clear medical benefits, and rescheduling it to a lower category would open the door to more studies and federally funded research.

This shift could allow for larger clinical trials and a better understanding of how cannabis, including its recreational use and effects from smoking marijuana, could fit into medical treatments.

With public perception changing, many believe that rescheduling is a real possibility in the near future.

Additional Information for Patients

There are many charities and support groups for those facing cancer. They can provide any number of services, from advice to counseling to financial support and much more. You can find an organization via the government website on cancer here.

Some examples of cancer organizations helping patients include:

250 Williams Street NW

Atlanta, GA 30303

Local Phone: 404-320-3333 (Responds to calls in English only)

Free Line: 1-800-227-2345 (1-800-ACS-2345) (Responds to calls in English and Spanish)

Additional Resources: Support Programs and Services

Post Office Box 498

Kensington, MD 20895

Local Phone: 301-962-3520 (Responds to calls in English only)

Free Line: 1-855-858-2226 (Responds to calls in English only)

staff@acco.org

Additional Resources: Local ACCO affiliates

Benefits.gov is the official benefits website of the U.S. Government. The website, available in English and Spanish, is designed to help      users find government benefit and assistance programs across multiple Federal agencies. Benefit Finder’s confidential prescreening      questionnaire helps users identify which government benefits they may be eligible to receive.

Categories: General Living Expenses, Health Insurance (includes co-payments), Lodging & Travel, Scholarships & Camps, Counseling

Additional Resources:

Benefit Finder

Benefits by Category

Benefits.gov in Spanish

Browse for Benefits by State

200 Independence Avenue, SW.

Washington, DC 20201

Local Phone: Help Center: 1-800-318-2596 (available for questions 24/7)

7500 Security Boulevard

Baltimore, MD 21244

Free Line: 1-800-633-4227 (1-800-MEDICARE) (Responds to calls in English and Spanish)

TTY Line: 1-877-486-2048

Suite 800

2301 McGee Street

Kansas City, MO 64108

Local Phone: 816-783-8500 (Help Desk) (Responds to calls in English only)

Free Line: 1-866-470-6242 (1-866-470-NAIC) (Responds to calls in English and Spanish)

help@naic.org

275 Seventh Avenue

22nd Floor

New York, NY 10001

Local Phone: 212-712-8400 (Administrative)

Free Line: 1-800-813-4673 (1-800-813-HOPE) (Responds to calls in English and Spanish)

info@cancercare.org

Additional Resources:

Financial Assistance Program

500 North Broadway

Suite 1850

St. Louis, MO 63102

Local Phone: 314-241-1600 (General) (Responds to calls in English only)

Free Line: 1-800-532-6459 (1-800-5-FAMILY) (Responds to calls in English only)

pbeck@children-cancer.org

Post Office Box 219

Gloucester, MA 01931

Local Phone: 978-281-6666

Free Line: 1-800-503-6897 (Responds to calls in English and Spanish)

info@needymeds.org

421 Butler Farm Road

Hampton, VA 23666

Free Line: 1-800-532-5274 (Responds to calls in English and Spanish)

help@patientadvocate.org

Cancer FAQs

What is cancer?

Cancer is a disease that occurs when cells in the body grow and spread uncontrollably. Cancers can grow on any part of the body and in any organ.

What causes cancer?

Cancer risk factors and causes are plentiful and include tings like:

  • Age
  • Air pollution and other types of pollutants
  • Alcohol use
  • Exposure to carcinogenic chemicals
  • Exposure to carcinogenic materials
  • Genetics
  • High intake of salt, fat, and red & processed meats
  • Hormones
  • Infectious agents such as some types of viruses, bacteria, and parasites
  • Inflammation
  • Lack of physical activity/exercise
  • Maternal-fetal transmission (rare)
  • Nutritional deficiencies
  • Obesity
  • Organ transplant (rare)
  • Overexposure to sunlight
  • Physical trauma (rare)
  • Smoking

What are the most common types of cancer?

The three most common cancers in the US are:

  1. Breast cancer: an estimated 310,720 women and 2,790 men diagnosed in 2024.
  2. Prostate cancer: an estimated 299,010 cases in 2024.
  3. Lung and bronchus cancer: an estimated 234,580 new cases in 2024.

Other common types of cancer include:

  • Colon and rectum cancer
  • Melanoma of the skin
  • Bladder cancer
  • Kidney and renal pelvis cancer
  • Non-Hodgkin lymphoma
  • Endometrial cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer
  • Leukemia
  • Thyroid cancer
  • Liver cancer

What are the most difficult cancers to treat?

Broadly speaking, any cancer that reaches stage 3 or 4 is difficult to treat. Some types of cancer, however, are more aggressive than others, while others are deadlier because they affect so many people, even if survival rates are otherwise good.

The eight deadliest cancers (in terms of numbers that died in 2023/24) are thought to be:

  1. Lung cancer
  2. Colorectal cancer
  3. Pancreatic cancer
  4. Breast cancer
  5. Prostate cancer
  6. Liver & intrahepatic bile duct cancer
  7. Leukemia
  8. Non-Hodgkin lymphoma

What are the pros and cons of medical cannabis for cancer treatment?

Potential Pros

  • Marijuana use can help treat the common side effects of chemotherapy. The prescription drugs Marinol and Dronabinol are synthetic versions of THC designed for this purpose. However, synthetic THC can be much stronger than the THC derived from cannabis. There aren’t any other cannabinoids balancing the synthetic THC and improving its efficacy via the entourage effect. Many people find natural THC to be much more tolerable.
  • Helps cancer patients manage pain, inflammation, nausea, improper sleep (insomnia and sleep apnea), and cachexia (wasting syndrome).
  • Cannabis could kill cancer cells or tell them to slow down – cannabis could have significant anti-tumor properties.
  • Some suggest that significant inflammation from an event in the past or diet may trigger cancer – cannabinoids may help prevent this inflammation, as many are potent anti-inflammatories.
  • Terpenes like beta-caryophyllene (which is a cannabinoid as well), pinene, and humulene have significant anti-bacterial and anti-tumoral properties. They may also increase the efficacy of some chemotherapy drugs (e.g., paclitaxel).
  • Cannabinoids could be a promising therapeutic agent for rare and difficult-to-treat forms of cancer.

Potential Cons

  • Though there is no proven link between smoking cannabis alone and lung cancer, it makes sense to perhaps avoid combusting any plant material and breathing the resulting smoke into your lungs. This is especially the case if you manage lung cancer and/or breathing problems.
  • Marijuana use can come with common side effects like low blood pressure, dizziness, dry mouth, and fatigue. These side effects may be mild for some but can be more significant when combined with other cancer treatments, potentially impacting overall health and quality of life.
  • Those undergoing immunotherapy for cancer should avoid cannabinoid treatment due to cannabinoids’ dampening effect on the immune system, reducing the efficacy of immunotherapy and having a negative effect on outcomes (although evidence is mixed).
  • One of the common side effects of chemotherapy is a suppressed immune system. Therefore, it is of utmost importance that your medication is as pathogen-free as possible – no fungus, mold, bacteria, or other microbes that may cause an infection.
  • The cannabinoid profile, ratio, and dosage must match the cancer classification. If it does not match, cannabinoid treatment may be ineffective or even harmful and help promote cancer growth. For example, those with estrogen-positive breast cancer may wish to use less THC.
  • Recent studies have shown increased cancer risks in the head, throat, and neck in people who partake in marijuana use.

medical cannabis oil and capsules

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Table of content

  1. Cancer Causes
  2. Cancer Symptoms & Health Effects
  3. Cancer Diagnosis
  4. Cancer Prognosis
  5. Cancer Treatments
  6. Additional Information for Patients
  7. Cancer FAQs
  8. Research Overview
  9. Relevant studies