In the last several years, the use of marijuana or cannabis in the treatment of certain medical conditions has gained popularity in the United States, especially with more and more states legalizing it under state laws.

Yet, one of the most frequently asked questions when it comes to the use of marijuana and its active components called cannabinoids in medical treatment is whether it can treat cancer.

This is a very legitimate concern, considering that cancer affects millions of people worldwide and is among the leading causes of death.

Cancer in numbers

According to the World Health Organization, there were 14 million new cancer cases reported worldwide in 2012 – which is projected to rise 70 per cent to 22 million in the next 20 years. Globally, cancer is the second leading cause of morbidity and mortality, accounting for 8.8 million deaths in 2015. That translates to nearly 1 in every 6 deaths.

In the United States, the National Cancer Institute estimated more than 1.6 million new cancer cases diagnosed in 2016 and over 500,000 cancer-related deaths. Projections also show that 39.6 per cent of people in the U.S. are going to be diagnosed with cancer at one point in their lives.

Given the statistics, it can be said that cancer affects almost everyone or that everyone knows someone else who suffers from cancer.  It is that prevalent!

This is why it is not surprising that more and more people are looking for alternative ways to treat cancer or to alleviate its symptoms. And the use of cannabis is one of the alternatives people are looking into.

Conventional cancer treatment and their side effects

Currently, conventional cancer treatment, or treatment widely accepted by healthcare professionals, includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. There’s also targeted therapy, hormone therapy, and immunotherapy. The treatment a cancer patient needs depends on the type of cancer and how advanced it is. Most patients also have a combination of various treatments.

While these methods can effectively treat many different types of cancer, they also bring about a wide range of side effects that vary from person to person. These side effects include pain, nerve damage, fatigue, nausea and vomiting, blood disorders, constipation, cognitive dysfunction, loss of appetite, hair loss, sexual and reproductive issues, and radiation recall. They may also cause long-term side effects like damage to the heart, liver, lungs, and kidneys.

Needless to say, having to deal with the side effects of conventional cancer treatment is one of the primary reasons why cancer patients seek alternative treatments like the use of cannabis.

Can marijuana effectively treat cancer?

Some studies have found smoked marijuana to be effective in treating vomiting and nausea as a result of chemotherapy. Patients who have undergone chemotherapy can now look to marijuana in order to reduce their dizziness and similar side effects.

A few studies also found smoked or vaporized marijuana to be helpful in treating neuropathic pain or pain that results from damaged nerves. Moreover, patients who took marijuana extracts as part of clinical trials are found less likely to need pain medication.

Additionally, according to the American Cancer Society, recent studies have found that THC (delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol) and other cannabinoids kill or slow the growth of some types of cancer cells in laboratory dishes. Some studies were also conducted on animals and these suggest that certain cannabinoids slow the growth and spread of some cancer types.

However, while scientific research shows that cannabis and its components can be safe for use and is effective in managing cancer-related side effects, it still does not show that these components can cure the disease itself. This means that relying on cannabis alone for treatment and avoiding conventional treatment programs and doctor-recommended therapies altogether could have serious consequences to a cancer patient’s health.