Cancer pain can be severe and complex, making it difficult to manage with traditional treatments alone. A cannabis prescription for cancer pain may offer additional relief by reducing inflammation, easing pain, and improving overall well-being. Cannabis may also help with related symptoms, such as nausea and loss of appetite, providing a more comprehensive approach to managing pain for cancer patients.
Many cancer patients endure pain as a result of their therapy or the disease itself. Most malignancies can result in cancer-related pain that ranges from moderate to severe, occurs frequently, and can affect practically any region of the body. Cancer pain can also be induced by cancer therapies such as chemotherapy and radiation, which have unpleasant side effects that can persist for days, weeks, or even months.
What is the Source of Cancer-Related Pain?
Chronic pain can happen when nerves are affected. This might be due to cancer pressing on nerves or chemicals released by a tumor. Cancer treatments can also change nerves, leading to pain. Chronic pain can be mild or intense and can continue long after the injury or treatment is over. It might be constant.
Pain can sometimes happen suddenly, like when you change a dressing or move around. This is called incidental pain.
Adverse Consequences of Chemotherapy
Chemotherapy can have unpleasant side effects, but many of them can be controlled or avoided, and the majority will go away after your treatment is over.
It is impossible to foresee the side effects you will experience.
Many of the typical adverse effects are listed below, but you are unlikely to experience all of them.
- Diarrhoea and constipation
- Loss of appetite
- Infections
- Emotional issues
- Tiredness
- Anaemia
- Bruising and bleeding
- Sore mouth
- Sleep problems
- Feeling and being sick
- Skin and nail changes
- Memory and concentration problems
- Fertility issues
- Hair loss
Negative Consequences of Radiotherapy
Radiation not only kills or inhibits the development of cancer cells, but it can also harm healthy cells nearby. Damage to healthy cells might have unintended consequences. The side effects of this kind of treatment depend on which part of the body is being treated. A list of the side effects based on the area of the body can be found below:
Brain
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Memory or concentration problems
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin changes
- Headache
- Blurry vision
Breast
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Skin changes
- Swelling (oedema)
- Tenderness
Chest
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Skin changes
- Throat problems, such as trouble swallowing
- Cough
- Shortness of breath
Head and neck
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Mouth problems
- Skin changes
- Taste changes
- Throat problems, such as trouble swallowing
- Less active thyroid gland
Pelvis
- Diarrhoea
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Sexual problems (men)
- Fertility problems (men)
- Sexual problems (women)
- Fertility problems (women)
- Skin changes
- Urinary and bladder problems
Rectum
- Diarrhoea
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Sexual problems (men)
- Fertility problems (men)
- Sexual problems (women)
- Fertility problems (women)
- Skin changes
- Urinary and bladder problems
Stomach and Abdomen
- Diarrhoea
- Fatigue
- Hair loss
- Nausea and vomiting
- Skin changes
- Urinary and bladder problems
The Common Types of Cancer Pain
The sort of pain you feel is determined by various factors, including the stage of the disease, its location, and the type of cancer you have.
Pain in the Nerves
Cancer patients often experience nerve discomfort due to chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. Neuropathic pain, also known as nerve pain, can arise when a malignant tumour exerts pressure on and damages nerves. The intensity and sensation of nerve pain may vary depending on the cancer’s stage and location, ranging from a mild tingling to a severe burning sensation.
Bone Pain
Patients diagnosed with primary bone cancer, as well as individuals whose cancer has metastasized to the bone, commonly experience bone pain. The majority of cancers have the potential to spread to the bone (known as bone metastases), occurring when malignant cells detach from the tumour and travel through the bloodstream to the bone. Bone pain is often characterised as a distressing or throbbing sensation, resembling muscle pain but with greater intensity. Although managing bone pain during the healing process can be challenging, there are therapeutic approaches to assist individuals in coping with this discomfort.
Soft-Tissue Pain
Numerous individuals diagnosed with cancer experience soft tissue pain, also known as visceral pain. This type of pain is felt within the body’s internal organs or muscles. The specific location of the discomfort depends on the organ or muscle responsible for generating it. Visceral pain is typically described as a profound sensation of hurting or pressure resulting from the activation of pain receptors.
Cancer-Related Pain Relief
A comprehensive approach is often necessary to effectively manage cancer pain. Along with medications, physiotherapy, modifications to the work and home environment, and psychiatric treatments play significant roles in patient care. Medical therapy focuses on addressing the root cause of pain, which is a crucial aspect of treatment.
Initial treatment typically involves the use of simple pain relievers, while stronger pain relievers such as codeine, tramadol, and morphine are employed in combination for severe pain. Depending on the specific cause of pain, personalised therapies may be beneficial for certain individuals.
CBD for Cancer Pain: An Alternative Option
CBD (cannabidiol) has gained attention as an alternative option for managing cancer-related pain. While it is not a cure for cancer, CBD’s analgesic (pain-relieving) and anti-inflammatory properties may provide relief to cancer patients, making it a viable supplement alongside conventional treatments. Many cancer patients experience chronic pain, inflammation, and discomfort due to the disease or its treatment (such as chemotherapy), and CBD may help improve their quality of life.
Pain From Cancer and Medicinal Cannabis
Limited research has been conducted regarding the impact of medical cannabis on cancer pain.Since the legalisation of medicinal cannabis in 2018, there has been a rise in individuals seeking this form of treatment. In cases where initial medications prove ineffective in alleviating symptoms, medicinal marijuana may be explored as a potential alternative for managing cancer-related discomfort.
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