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Nearly everyone has felt the devastating impact of cancer, and it would be nearly impossible to find someone who hasn't been affected by this disease, either experiencing it themselves or knowing someone who has. The grim truth is that cancer is the second leading cause of death worldwide, contributing to over 10 million deaths per year.
For a large number of cancer patients, part of their treatment path includes the draining and painful experience of chemotherapy. While cancer patients facing chemo may be bracing themselves for the difficult road ahead, the good news is that a Missouri medical marijuana card may be the key to making that process easier.
Studies have shown, and patients have attested to, how much cannabis can aid those going through chemo treatments. If you or someone you love is facing a battle with cancer, you owe it to yourself to be informed on how medical marijuana can help.
What is Chemotherapy?
Chemotherapy is a process in which a patient is treated with drugs designed to kill cancer cells. The most common method of administering chemotherapy is intravenously, but it is sometimes administered as a pill, liquid, injection shot, or topical cream.
The Mayo Clinic lists several different reasons cancer patients may go through chemotherapy. For some patients, chemotherapy is their only cancer treatment. Others go through chemo to kill any cancer cells that may remain hidden after other treatments. Sometimes, chemo is used to prepare a patient for other treatments, such as shrinking a tumor so it’s small enough to treat with radiation.
According to the CDC, approximately 650,000 cancer patients undergo chemotherapy in the United States every year. The process can be time consuming, as some treatments take hours, often leaving the patient drained.
What Are the Side Effects of Chemotherapy?
The side effects of chemotherapy can be painful and debilitating. The drugs pumped into the body during this process are designed to kill cancer cells, but these drugs can also affect normal, healthy cells.
Chemo affects patients differently. Some will experience little to no side effects at all, but others will experience a wide range of them. According to the American Cancer Society, the most common side effects of chemotherapy are:
Fatigue
Hair loss
Bruising easily
Infection
Anemia (low red blood cell counts)
Nausea and vomiting
Appetite changes
Constipation
Diarrhea
Mouth, tongue, and throat problems such as sores and pain with swallowing
Peripheral neuropathy or other nerve problems, such as numbness, tingling, and pain
Skin and nail changes such as dry skin and color change
Urine and bladder changes and kidney problems
Weight changes
Chemo brain, which can affect concentration and focus
Mood changes
Changes in libido and sexual function
Fertility problems
How can medical marijuana help?
Medical professionals have found that cannabis can treat hundreds of different conditions, including easing many of the side effects of chemotherapy. Marijuana can help ease pain and nausea, it can help with mental health, and it can be used as a sleep aid to help patients get the rest their immune system needs to function at full capacity. Also, it can help increase appetite and when paired with CBD, cannabis often is helpful in reducing inflammation.
Some additional, encouraging news regarding the effects of cannabis on cancer is that according to the American Cancer Society, while research is ongoing, some studies suggest “certain cannabinoids may slow growth and reduce spread of some forms of cancer.”
Additionally, Cannabis can positively impact your overall wellbeing. Cancer patients may experience heightened anxiety, which medical marijuana can help with. Cancer patients across the globe are finding that marijuana makes their experience with this disease more bearable.
Cheyann’s Story
Cheyann Saw is one of many examples of a person who used cannabis to help get through chemotherapy. She relays her experience using medical marijuana in her battle with cancer in a firsthand account for Healthline.
Cheyann is a former athlete who had a bias against marijuana until her parents convinced her to add cannabis to her treatment for stage four ovarian cancer. Before adding medical marijuana to her treatment plan, Cheyann was unable to eat and lost weight rapidly. Cannabis helped Cheyann get back her appetite and find some sense of normalcy while going through chemo.
Cheyann was also having terrible bouts of insomnia, negatively affecting her mental health, but cannabis helped her get the physical and mental rest she needed to be ready for her chemo sessions. Cheyann says “I’m a firm believer that medical cannabis helped me win my fight against cancer.”
You deserve relief. We can help.
You deserve the natural relief that cannabis provides, but in order to get that relief, you’ll need a Missouri medical marijuana card. If you don’t have your card yet, we’ve got you covered! Our doctors are standing by to take you through a quick and easy evaluation to see if you qualify. Schedule an appointment with a marijuana physician online by CLICKING HERE, or give us a call at (877) 303-3117 to talk to a patient support representative.
Doctors Who Care.
Relief You Can Trust.
At Missouri Marijuana Card, our mission is helping everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
Call us at (877) 303-3117, or simply book a medical marijuana evaluation to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out Missouri Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to join the medical marijuana conversation in Missouri!
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