New Vibes on Cancer and That Green Goodness
Yo, listen up fam! We got some fresh news comin’ your way about cancer and that green stuff we all know and love—cannabis, ya feel me? Now, I ain’t sayin’ it’s a miracle cure or nothin’, but it’s lookin’ like it do got some potential when it comes to helpin’ folks deal with them tough times. The big homies at the American Medical Association, the American College of Physicians, and the federal crew at Health and Human Services (HHS) and the FDA all on the same page sayin’ we need more studies to really tap into them medical benefits of cannabis.
They know it can help, but they tryna get more info, especially when it comes to how much of that good green you should be usin’. Recently, a study dropped that got some real solid info connectin’ cancer and cannabis, and it just backs up what the experts been sayin’. Ain’t no doubt, we need to talk about this.
Medical Cannabis Ain’t a Cancer Cure, But It’s Got Benefits
First off, let’s get one thing straight—cannabis ain’t gonna cure your cancer, but there’s some strong evidence showin’ that the compounds in that green goodness, like THC and CBD, can help ease the pain and the side effects from them harsh treatments like chemotherapy. But before we dig deeper, let’s take a minute to see how cancer patients feel about using that medical marijuana.
Researchers from the University of California San Diego and VA Health Care teamed up for a whole year, surveyin’ almost 1,000 cancer patients at different stages of their battle. And what they found wasn’t exactly shocking, but it sure was eye-openin’.
What Patients Think About Cannabis
Lead researcher Corinne McDaniels-Davidson dropped the knowledge in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute. They looked into how folks decide to use cannabis, what they think the benefits are, and any risks involved for adults fightin’ cancer. “There’s a major gap in cancer care right now. A lotta oncologists ain’t even talkin’ to their patients about cannabis, they just send ‘em to some pain management doc instead,” McDaniels-Davidson said. She’s holdin’ it down as the associate director at the SDSU School of Public Health.
According to their data, about a third of the patients surveyed said they started usin’ cannabis after they got their diagnosis, but only a handful of ‘em actually told their oncologist about it. That’s kinda wild, right? Cannabis been around as medicine for thousands of years. They found some cannabis seeds way back in 8000 BC in the Oki Islands near Japan, but then it got a bad rap in the 20th century. Yet, people still believe in its power.
Perceptions Matter
The study showed that survivors who thought cannabis had benefits were five times more likely to use it. On the flip side, those who had any kinda fears or misconceptions about it were nearly 60% less likely to touch it after bein’ diagnosed. That’s where the real issue lies—misinformation, ya know?
The study also found that cancer survivors diagnosed with stage 3 or 4 were more likely to be puffin’ on that green goodness. Among those who did use it, 19% believed the false idea that cannabis could actually cure or treat cancer. We gotta set the record straight here—cannabis ain’t a cure for cancer. That’s a fact. But it sure can help in makin’ the journey a bit smoother. This kinda info gives medical professionals more tools to have some real talk with their patients.
Time for Change
With all the new info comin’ in, it’s high time for docs to start having open conversations with their patients about cannabis. We need to break that stigma and let folks know what’s what when it comes to treating cancer symptoms. The more we talk about it, the more we can help each other navigate these tough times.
So, keep your ears to the streets and your mind open, ‘cause this convo about cannabis in cancer care ain’t goin’ nowhere. We just gettin’ started in makin’ sure people got all the info they need to make the best choices for their health. And remember, while that green can help, it ain’t a replacement for actual medical treatment. Stay strong, family!
