Unfortunately, breast cancer is one of the most common types of cancer. Breast cancer occurs when the cells inside the breast tissue grow and divide at unhealthy rates, typically resulting in a tumor.
Breast cancer primarily impacts women, but it can be found in men in some rare cases. In the United States, it is currently the second most prevalent type of cancer diagnosed in women.
There are multiple different types of breast cancer, including;
- Angiosarcoma,
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS),
- Inflammatory breast cancer,
- Invasive lobular carcinoma,
- Lobular carcinoma in situ (LCIS),
- Male breast cancer,
- Paget's disease of the breast,
- Phyllodes tumor,
- Recurrent breast cancer,
- Triple-negative breast cancer.
Breast cancer screening is one of the best types of prevention available. Getting regular mammograms is an essential part of catching breast cancer early. Finding breast cancer earlier typically means more treatment options will be available, and there’s a better prognosis.
Breast cancer continues to be a subject of a variety of scientific studies. Many more questions still need to be answered, but steady progress has been made throughout the past few decades.
What Causes Breast Cancer?
There is not one definitive cause of breast cancer. Some possible risk factors for the development of breast cancer include;
- Alcohol consumption,
- Being female,
- Beginning menstruation at a younger age,
- Beginning menopause at an older age,
- Genetics,
- Having dense breasts,
- Having your first child at an older age,
- Hormonal changes,
- Hormone therapy for menopause,
- Increased age,
- Obesity.
Breast cancer can have a genetic link in some cases. If you know of others in your family who have been diagnosed with breast cancer, you may be at a higher risk of developing it yourself. Ensuring you’re conducting regular breast exams and updating your doctor is essential.
The unfortunate reality is that while there are some things you can do to prevent breast cancer, you can never completely eliminate the possibility of developing it in the future without surgical interventions. If you think you may be at a higher risk for a breast cancer diagnosis, consider discussing options with your doctor or specialist.
Breast Cancer Signs & Symptoms
Breast cancer can be difficult to identify. If you have breast cancer, you may experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Changes in the size and appearance of breasts
- Dimpling or redness of the breast
- Inverted nipple
- Lumps in the breast
- Nipple discharge
- Skin peeling around the nipple
If you think you may have breast cancer symptoms, consider speaking with a medical professional as soon as possible. This is one of the best ways to ensure you take the necessary preventative precautions.
Can Cannabis Help Alleviate Breast Cancer Symptoms?
Cannabis may be beneficial for those with breast cancer. While cannabis will not cure breast cancer, it may help provide relief from some of its symptoms.
Inflammation of the breast tissue is one of the common symptoms of breast cancer. And cannabis may help alleviate inflammation.1 If you’re going to use cannabis for inflammation, talk to your doctor about edible or topical options. Applying topical products directly to the breast may be helpful to get targeted relief, and edibles may provide long-lasting effects.
Nausea is a common symptom experienced when receiving chemotherapy, an intense chemical drug treatment often used to treat cancer. Cannabis has shown the potential to help reduce nausea. A loss of appetite is another symptom that can accompany nausea.1,2 This is one of the most prominent ways cannabis has been reported to help provide relief. Appetite stimulation can be a great benefit of using cannabis.3
Cannabinoids have also demonstrated differing effects on breast cancer depending on the type of breast cancer and dose of cannabinoids. For triple-negative breast cancers, CBD, CBN, and CBG have researchers interested in their potential to reduce cell growth and migration. In HER2+ tumors, THC is the cannabinoid of focus, as it has been demonstrated to impair tumor growth. More research on cannabinoids and the different breast cancer types is needed before making conclusive statements about the potential benefits of cannabis.4
Cannabinoids may interact with cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, but more research is needed.5 It is best to discuss your options with your medical team to make sure that you can use cannabis safely with your other medications.
Legality and Doctor’s Recommendation
To determine if your state considers breast cancer to be a qualifying condition for medical marijuana, check out our Laws & Regulations section for the medical cannabis rules for your state.
If you find that your state recognizes breast cancer or its symptoms as a qualifying medical condition, you can seek a doctor’s recommendation to get your medical cannabis card in your state.
How NuggMD Can Help
NuggMD is the nation's leading medical marijuana technology platform, serving patients in 28 states and growing. We’ve connected over 1,300,000 patients with their new medical marijuana doctors face-to-face via our state-of-the-art telemedicine platform.
We believe that every human being has the right to explore the benefits of medical cannabis and are fully committed to helping each patient explore all of their options in their journey to wellness. For further information on whether you qualify for medical cannabis, select your state.
Frequently Asked Questions About Cannabis & Breast Cancer
If you have questions about cannabis and breast cancer, you’re not alone. There’s still much more that needs to be researched about this topic. Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions.
How can I know if cannabis is right for me?
There’s no way to predict how an individual will respond to cannabis. Many individuals with cancer find relief through cannabis and are able to manage their symptoms better. However, it’s best to speak with your doctor. They’ll be able to provide you with more information specific to your needs and help you make an informed choice about cannabis and your treatment.
What is the best strain for breast cancer?
There isn’t one specific strain that’s recommended for those with breast cancer. Instead, many people choose a strain based on their desired benefits. For example, some strains provide inflammation relief, while others are more helpful for nausea. It is common to try a few strains out before finding one that best suits your needs.
What are the best edibles for cancer patients?
Depending on your treatment plan, edibles may be suitable for consuming cannabis. They are long-lasting and can deliver potent effects. They can also easily be made at home. Talk with your doctor about what types of ingredients to avoid or use.
Is it safe to mix THC and chemotherapy?
While cannabis is generally considered safe to use during cancer treatment, you should speak with your care team about the specific medications you’re taking and if they can be combined with cannabis. It’s best to follow the advice of your doctor.
Resources
- Kisková T, Mungenast F, Suváková M, Jäger W, Thalhammer T. Future Aspects for Cannabinoids in Breast Cancer Therapy. International Journal of Molecular Sciences. 2019; 20(7):1673. doi.org/10.3390/ijms20071673
- Ward SJ, Lichtman AH, Piomelli D, Parker LA. Cannabinoids and Cancer Chemotherapy-Associated Adverse Effects. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2021;2021(58):78-85. doi:10.1093/jncimonographs/lgab007
- Kirkham TC. Cannabinoids and appetite: food craving and food pleasure. Int Rev Psychiatry. 2009;21(2):163-171. doi:10.1080/09540260902782810
- Almeida CF, Teixeira N, Correia-da-Silva G, Amaral C. Cannabinoids in Breast Cancer: Differential Susceptibility According to Subtype. Molecules. 2021;27(1):156. doi:10.3390/molecules27010156
- Griffiths C, Aikins J, Warshal D, Ostrovsky O. Can Cannabidiol Affect the Efficacy of Chemotherapy and Epigenetic Treatments in Cancer?. Biomolecules. 2021;11(5):766. doi:10.3390/biom11050766
The information in this article and any included images or charts are for educational purposes only. This information is neither a substitute for, nor does it replace, professional legal advice or medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any concerns or questions about laws, regulations, or your health, you should always consult with an attorney, physician or other licensed professional.
