How Can Medical Cannabis Help Fight Breast Cancer?

October is breast cancer awareness month. The goal during breast cancer awareness month is to raise consciousness and educate people about a disease that affects nearly 300,000 new patients every year. While there are a number of different schools of thought when it comes to deterring the occurrence of cancer, it is not always preventable. However, certain lifestyle changes and proper diet can certainly help give you a fighting chance against a number of different types of cancer. As with most illnesses, early detection and treatment is important. Breast cancer is certainly no exception to this rule. It is ever-important to do self-examinations and have regular mammograms with your doctor. More recently, a newer therapy option is gaining major legal headway in the medical field for breast cancer treatment: medical marijuana.

What is breast cancer?

Breast cancer occurs when cancerous growths (i.e. a tumor) appear in one or both breasts. It is a disease that mostly affects women, but may also affect men. While the exact cause of breast cancer is still uncertain, the most substantial risk factors associated with it are age and family history. As we get older, it becomes more and more important to receive regular checkups. Symptoms of breast cancer may include the presence of lumps in the breast, bloody discharge from a nipple, and changes in the shape and/or texture of the nipple or breast. Luckily, there are a number of different things you can do, and lifestyle changes you can integrate, that may help to prevent the spread and symptoms of breast cancer. This list is not limited to (but does highlight) things like restricting your alcohol intake to less than one drink per day. Caution should be taken, however, as even a small amounts can still increase your risk. Another good idea for the prevention of breast cancer is to quit smoking, or to never start. While this is obvious for the overall health benefits to your body, studies show that smokers are also at higher risk for breast cancer, particularly with premenopausal women. Lastly, staying active will help you maintain a healthy weight and reduce your risk of breast cancer. The Department of Health and Human Services suggests adults should receive either 150 minutes of moderate anaerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous aerobic activity per week.

How can medical marijuana help fight breast cancer?

Today medical marijuana is used to aid in the treatment of a wide range of debilitating conditions and diseases such as: Parkinson’s, epilepsy, glaucoma, HIV/AIDS, post-traumatic stress disorder, ALS/Lou Gehrig’s, Crohn’s, multiple sclerosis, and chronic pain. But one of the most famous diseases that put medical marijuana on the legal map was cancer. Studies have shown that cannabis has a number of potential benefits for cancer patients. So how does medical marijuana help in the treatment of breast cancer? The answer is three-fold:

Anti-proliferative – Scientists and doctors in the field of cancer research with regards to the efficacy of medical marijuana treatment for breast cancer say that cannabis can have an anti-proliferative effect on cancer cells. That is to say that medical marijuana use can slow down the reproduction of cancer cells substantially.

Anti-metastatic – Not only can cancer reproduce at an incredible rate, cancer cells may break actually spread to other parts of the body as well. When this occurs is, it is called metastasis. Research indicates that medical marijuana may also help slow down metastasis of cancer cells. This is important, being that metastasis is often responsible for cancer cells reaching your lymph nodes, making it much more difficult to treat.

Anti-angiogenesis – In order for living tissue to survive and thrive, blood is required. Much like healthy tissue, cancerous tumors also require a blood supply. Angiogenesis is the process by which new blood vessels are developed. Studies have shown that medical cannabis may help to slow down the proliferation of new blood vessels to a significant degree.

Medical Marijuana Treatment in Tampa and Hudson, FL

We provide medical cannabis for patients suffering from cancer in Tampa and Hudson, FL. For more information about how you can apply for a medical marijuana card by clicking here. You can make an appointment with our Tampa or Hudson, FL clinic by clicking here or call us on 727-202-4325.