Stand Up To Cancer Day: What does research say about medical cannabis?

Today, 13 September 2024, is Stand Up To Cancer Day, and so we thought the time was right to have a closer look at what current research says about the potential for medical cannabis in cancer treatment.

But, before we do, it is essential to point out that while medical cannabis can offer cancer patients certain benefits, it is not a cure. Research continues into its potential in tumour growth reduction and management of cancer-related symptoms, but as yet, there is no evidence showing that it can cure the disease.

What exactly is cancer?

Cancer comes in many forms, but they all share one common trait: uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the body.

These cells can form tumours and/or interfere with normal body functions. While some cancers are hereditary, some are caused by environmental and lifestyle factors, while others can develop with no clear cause.

The dangers of metastasis

Metastasis is when cancer cells break away from the original tumour and travel to other parts of the body, where they can form new tumours. There is a much higher chance of this happening if the cancer has not been detected or treated early, which only serves to highlight just how important organisations like SU2C are.

Without the invaluable awareness, research, and patient support funded by such charities, the rates of metastasis and, ultimately, cancer-related deaths would almost certainly be far higher.

What are the most common types of cancer?

With more than two hundred separate types of cancer now identified, the disease is complex and can be extremely challenging to treat, especially if it spreads. There is no one-size-fits-all treatment for cancer, and research into new treatments - including the potential of medical cannabis - is vital.

According to the NHS, the four most commonly diagnosed forms of cancer are:

• Breast cancer - one woman in the UK is diagnosed with breast cancer every ten minutes. It can also affect men, but the rates are lower.
• Lung cancer - mainly caused by smoking tobacco, but can also be caused by exposure to certain chemicals.
• Prostate cancer - Around 55,100 men are diagnosed with prostate cancer every year in the UK.
• Bowel cancer - also known as colorectal cancer, is more common in people over 50 but can strike at any age.

Symptoms to look out for, and the impact of early detection

It is difficult to put together a list of symptoms when discussing cancer generally, as the symptoms and warning signs can vary so significantly depending on the type of cancer in question.

But catching cancer early is crucial for the best chance of survival. Some warning signs and symptoms of cancer include:

• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent nighttime fevers
• Low appetite
• Changes to bowel or bladder habits
• Unexplained lumps, bumps, or swelling in the body
• Changes to moles or skin spots
• Difficulty swallowing
• Fatigue
• Persistent coughing or hoarseness

What does research say about medical cannabis and cancer?

Again, while medical cannabis has shown some potential in reducing the size and spread of tumours, it is far too early to claim it as any type of cure.

However, research has shown that it can offer certain cancer patients benefits.

Medical cannabis for cancer-related nausea and vomiting

One of the most common reasons that cancer patients may turn to medical cannabis is its potential in reducing nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

It is actually one of only three conditions currently authorised for medical cannabis treatment on the NHS, but with that said, our national health provider is still quite unwilling to issue prescriptions.

Thankfully for patients, private clinics like Releaf offer a far more accommodating service.

"Cannabinoids for control of chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting: a quantitative systematic review" looked at 6059 articles from 1975 to 1996, finding that:

"Cannabinoids are more effective anti-emetics than traditional medications like prochlorperazine and metoclopramide" and "Patients preferred cannabinoids for future chemotherapy cycles, indicating a positive reception"

Medical cannabis for cancer pain reduction

One of the major benefits that THC (and CBD, to a certain respect) offers patients is pain relief.

"Cannabis use in cancer patients: acute and sustained associations with pain, cognition, and quality of life", a study from 2023, found that:

"Sustained cannabis use was associated with improvements in pain intensity, pain interference, sleep quality, subjective cognitive function, and reaction times in the Stroop task, but no change in general quality of life was observed". 

They also found, "high levels of cannabidiol (CBD) use during the two-week ad libitum use period was associated with steeper improvements in pain intensity and sleep quality."

Medical cannabis for cancer-related anxiety and sleeplessness

While no specific research has been conducted on the positive impact of medical cannabis on cancer-related anxiety and sleeplessness, studies have found that it can help with both, quite significantly.

"Cannabidiol in Anxiety and Sleep: A Large Case Series", a clinical trial focusing purely on CBD from 2019, found that:

"Anxiety scores decreased within the first month in 57 patients (79.2%) and remained decreased during the study duration." and "sleep scores improved within the first month in 48 patients (66.7%) but fluctuated over time"

Another study, "Effectiveness of Raw, Natural Medical Cannabis Flower for Treating Insomnia under Naturalistic Conditions",  from 2018, also reports:

"Consumption of medical Cannabis flower is associated with significant improvements in perceived insomnia"

Medical cannabis for cancer-related low appetite

Low appetite can be a real issue for cancer patients. It is one of the many side effects of chemotherapy, and if it gets to the point where it starts to impact a patient's nutritional intake (ie. leading to malnutrition), it can become a true concern, making the treatment less effective.

It should come as anything but a surprise to learn that THC - the cannabinoid responsible for inducing hunger, commonly referred to as inducing the munchies" - has been found in studies to be effective in helping cancer patients intake the recommended amount of calories.

"New Prospect for Cancer Cachexia: Medical Cannabinoid", a review from 2019, concludes:

"Cannabinoids, such as THC and CBD, show great potential in improving appetite, body weight, and quality of life in patients"

Medical cannabis for cancer tumour reduction

As we mentioned earlier, medical cannabis has shown some early potential in reducing the size and spread of tumours. Research is ongoing, but the studies conducted so far are very encouraging.

"Anti-Cancer Potential of Cannabinoids, Terpenes, and Flavonoids Present in Cannabis", a 2020 review found that with mice:

"THC has been shown to reduce melanoma cell proliferation and tumour growth" and "In one study, a preparation of equal amounts THC:CBD was able to decrease tumour growth and increase autophagy and apoptosis in vivo. THC significantly inhibited the tumour growth of transplanted mouse melanoma cells in a cannabinoid receptor-dependent fashion."

These findings support the earlier 2019 review "Cannabinoids in cancer treatment: Therapeutic potential and legislation", which reported:

"Cannabinoids were able to effectively modulate tumour growth in different in vitro and in vivo cancer models, however, these anticancer effects appears to be dependent on cancer type and drug dose."

Are there any risks or side effects?

Although cannabis-based medicines do show considerable promise in combating cancer, the studies currently available do not meet the stringent standards set by UK regulatory authorities - the  Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). 

As such, any person or company claiming that cannabis-based medicines can cure cancer should be treated with caution. This is especially true when it comes to online sources - we all know that the internet can be a scary place, and this couldn't be more true for cancer patients. Hope is a powerful emotion, but it can also lead to desperation and exploitation.

And, just like any other treatment option, there are some risks and potential side effects associated with medical cannabis. These may include:

• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Changes in mood or behaviour
• Dry mouth
• Nausea and vomiting
• Diarrhoea
• Headaches

All of these factors show just how crucial it is for cancer patients who are interested in the potential of medical cannabis to seek out professional advice from a specialist doctor.

Our Clinical Director, Dr David Tang, has this to say:

"Whilst in no way a cure for cancer, the versatility of medical cannabis allows it to be a suitable treatment across a whole range of symptoms associated with cancer treatment. From chemotherapy-related nausea and vomiting, to neuropathy, to radiation burns from radiotherapy, among others - medical cannabis has the versatility to supplement the ongoing treatment of symptoms."

How can cancer patients access UK medical cannabis?

Although the NHS does offer prescriptions for medical cannabis for cancer patients, they only do so in extremely limited circumstances. The number of cancer patients believed to have been prescribed a medical cannabis product on the NHS is minimal, and this has caused frustration and anger among the medical community and cancer patients alike.

In England, medical cannabis is a fully legal treatment option, and has been since November 2018. Fortunately for patients, they have one more treatment route to explore.

Private medical cannabis clinics, like Releaf, offer patients legal access to medical cannabis in the UK. We have helped many patients with cancer find symptomatic relief. Our world-class team of specialists (including Dr Sue Clenton, Releaf’s resident Oncologist and Medical Director) are on hand to offer support and guidance throughout the process.

To find out if you may be potentially suitable for treatment with Releaf, head to our fast and free medical cannabis eligibility checker. In just a minute or two, you'll have a much clearer understanding of whether medical cannabis is an appropriate treatment option for your situation.

Don't forget to check out our extensive blog and education hub. Both have articles discussing medical cannabis treatment for specific cancer types (along with a huge range of other health concerns) and the latest updates and developments in this exciting field.