Cancer

Sep 1

Written By Jay Van Dyke - Top Rated Squarespace Web Designer in New Jersey

Medical Marijuana for the Treatment of Cancer

We have all heard the word cancer but do we really know what it is? Cancer starts in your cells, the building components of your body. Your body generates new cells when you need them, replacing old ones that have died off, and a healthy person. This mechanism goes south in a cancer patient. New cells develop even when your body doesn't need them, and old ones live on when they shouldn't. Slowly, they form a mass otherwise known as a tumor. Now it's not cancerous in every case but if it is, the tumor’s cells affect your healthy tissue and sometimes spreads to other healthy parts of your body. The term “metastasis” refers to when cancer spreads to another part of your body. The therapy you receive and the symptoms you experience are determined by the type of cancer you have and the stage of your illness.

Symptoms of Cancer

Cancer can affect any part of your body and they are different types of cancer. So the symptoms vary on the affected area, type of cancer, growth rate, and a lot more co-factors. The most common side effects are:

Anemia
Indigestion or Difficulty Breathing
Pain and Fatigue
Nausea
Bladder Problems
Bleeding and Bruising

Treatment for Cancer

There are a lot of different approaches on how to deal with cancer but the type of treatment you will be given will depend on the type of cancer you have and how advanced it is.

Most people will have a combination of treatments like radiation and chemotherapy but some will have only one. It is normal to feel overwhelmed in this situation, who wouldn't be? The best thing to do is to consult your doctor and they will help you understand this condition and your options.

These are the most common methods of treatment:

Surgery
Chemotherapy
Radiotherapy
Immunotherapy
Targeted Therapy

Statistics for Cancer

As stated by the National Cancer Institution, the rate of new cases of cancer is 442.4 per 100,000 men and women per year. There are a lot of co-factors that play an important part in who is more likely to get cancer. Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide and by 2040 we should expect the cancer cases to rise to 29.5 million per year and the cancer-related deaths to 16.4 million per year.

Most Common Type of Cancers

To qualify as a common cancer, there have to be 40,000 cases or more per year.

These are the most common types of cancer:

Breast Cancer
Lung Cancer
Prostate Cancer
Colon and Rectal Cancer
Melanoma
Bladder Cancer
Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma

Medical Marijuana for Cancer

The endocannabinoid system keeps the body in a state of homeostasis. The body is full of endocannabinoids which are spread out all over your body and are responsible for appetite balance, pain management, and immune system regulation. When a person develops cancer the system is disrupted and therefore functions fail.

The endocannabinoid system ensures that cells are regulated so they divide and grow at normal levels. But when a person has cancer the endocannabinoids can't do their job properly. Medical marijuana helps the endocannabinoid system regulate by activating CB1 and CB2 receptors. This approach helps the system function normally and promote homeostasis. The plant's active cannabinoids resemble your own endocannabinoid system (ECS). Cannabinoid neuroprotective and analgesic (pain-relieving) properties. Cannabinoids have also been studied for their potential applications in cancer prevention and therapy. The proliferation of mutated somatic cells in the body is what defines cancer. Damaged DNA was not replicated appropriately during cell division in the altered cells. Cancer cells grow more quickly than normal cells and their activities are frequently changed as a result of the cell’s faulty genetic coding.

The cannabinoids found in marijuana can also:

Reduce tumor invasion
Manage symptoms
Slow tumor growth
Induce tumor cell death

How to use Medical Marijuana for Cancer

The most common methods for the usage of medical marijuana are:

Smoking: When you inhale the smoke of medical marijuana, you get instant relief which is why it is the go-to for those experiencing chronic pain discomfort, nausea, and/or loss of appetite. It allows the terpenes, CBD, and THC to instantly get into the patient’s bloodstream which is why the effects of using medical marijuana this way are so popular.
Vaping: Vaping is similar to smoking because you are still inhaling a heated substance to deliver the medical marijuana which contains THC and CBD. However, you are inhaling vaporized oils along with the medicinal components of medical marijuana such as THC, CBD, and terpenes rather than burning the marijuana plant itself. Many people feel this is a cleaner form than smoking however at this time no studies have shown this to be a safer option for consuming medical marijuana.

Oral Ingestion: Some cancer patients prefer to take their THC and CBD orally which allows them to feel the benefits of the THC and CBD for a longer time. However, it doesn't have the rapid action that you get by vaping or smoking. It can take anywhere from 1 to 2 hours to take full effect. The edible form of medical marijuana typically come in candies such as lollipops, gummies, capsules, and oil droppers

Side Effects of Medical Marijuana Usage

Even though medical marijuana can work wonders with cancer patients it should be taken by the suggested dosage. When you take more than your doctor or practitioner recommends it can do more harm than good. Some major side effects are:

Addiction
Dry Mouth
Intense Nausea
Red Eyes
Breathing Problems

Best Strains of Medical Marijuana for Treating Cancer

The following strains are the most common for treating cancer but it all comes down to your symptoms and which one you will benefit from most :

ACDC
Chernobyl
Blackberry Kush
Pineapple Express
Chocolope
Pennywise
Harlequin

Conclusion

Cancer is a very aggressive disease, and it is hard to fight, but with the right treatment and a good support team, you have a really good chance of beating it.

Medical marijuana is a great way to manage cancer and, in some cases, beat it. It has been shown that it can definitely relieve your symptoms so even if it doesn't heal it all together, it can be worthwhile. The symptoms many patients experience during cancer can significantly reduce their quality of life so if medical cannabis works to alleviate some of these symptoms it should be considered.

Where Can I Get Medical Marijuana to Treat my Cancer?

Residents of Virginia can schedule an appointment with our marijuana doctor or his team of practitioners at CannabisMD TeleMed so they can receive a Virginia Medical Marijuana Card.

Our marijuana doctor and his team of providers are standing by to evaluate patients, diagnose their medical conditions, and issue medical cannabis certificates.

After receiving your medical marijuana certificate you can apply for your own medical marijuana card which can be done entirely online. The medical cannabis card will arrive in the mail within 30 days of completing the application for a medical marijuana card.

All you need to do to start the process of getting your medical marijuana card is click on the button below to schedule your appointment!

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