Study: 71 % gynecological cancer patients relieved by medical cannabis

A small U.S. study involving 45 female patients people with cancer gynecological patients who have been prescribed medical marijuana to manage their symptoms reveals that 71% of them reported an improvement in at least one symptom.

The study, published on June 24 in [journal name], notes that the researchers examined the prescribed formulation, usage patterns, duration of use, symptom relief, and side effects over a period ranging from 1 month to 25 months, depending on the participants, Gynecologic Oncology Report.

Approximately 55% of the patients were prescribed formulations with a 1:1 THC:CBD ratio; inhaled and sublingual formulations were prescribed to more than 70% of the women, and many patients were prescribed more than one formulation.

«These patients generally suffer from nausea, vomiting, pain, loss of appetite, and fatigue related to cancer treatment or the cancer itself, which can be treated with medical cannabis or synthetic cannabinoids,» the authors write.

More specifically, the study notes that 56% of the patients used cannabis for pain, 47% for nausea/vomiting, 33% for loss of appetite, and 27% for insomnia.

Since 89% of the patients were receiving chemotherapy and 56% were undergoing primary treatment, more than 70% of them reported an improvement in nausea/vomiting, compared to 36% who used it for pain relief.

«In cancer patients whose pain is poorly controlled by opioids, the addition of THC:CBD-containing compounds and nabiximols improves pain scores compared with placebo in some studies, but not all,» the authors note. The side effects of cannabinoids, which may include drowsiness, dizziness, confusion, and nausea, must also be taken into account, they add.

That said, 71% of the 41 patients remaining in the study at the time of the last follow-up reported that cannabis use had improved at least one of their symptoms.

Beyond symptom relief, the study found «minimal treatment-related side effects,» as only 15% of patients stopped using cannabis due to side effects.

«These data may prove useful in advising patients with gynecological cancer on the efficacy and side effects of medical cannabis,» the study authors write. Given the prevalence of cannabis use among cancer patients, they note that «improving education for patients and healthcare providers could help increase its use for symptom management throughout the disease continuum.»

According to the Canadian Cancer Society, «Cannabis, cannabinoid-containing medications, or both can help you relax and give you a sense of well-being. However, studies on the effectiveness of cannabis have yielded mixed results.»