Cancer Sucks—But Cannabis Can Help
Cancer sucks. That is my professional medical assessment. But amidst the challenges, I’ve found that cannabis medicine can help.
As a board-certified anesthesiologist, the majority of patients I guide today are cancer patients. My understanding of how cannabis medicine can support cancer care is not just professional—it’s personal.
My Journey with Cannabis Medicine
In 2005, I was diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Thankfully, it was caught early. Unfortunately, the treatment left me with severe neuropathic pain—so debilitating that I could no longer practice as an anesthesiologist.
The medications my colleagues prescribed came with side effects I couldn't tolerate. I relied on diet changes, meditation, and sheer determination to push through my days. That was until I discovered cannabis medicine.
For me, the breakthrough came in the form of topical cannabis-in fact, it is a topical CBDA cream. It was life-altering! And suddenly, I could focus on living rather than fighting pain. I knew I had to share this discovery with my patients.
Expanding My Work with Cannabis Medicine
As I worked with breast cancer patients seeking relief, I was introduced to patients with other cancers who had different treatment goals—beyond neuropathic pain relief.
I expanded my protocols to include:
✔ Topical applications
✔ Sublingual administration, and especially
✔ Dietary changes
Since I’m not an oncologist, my role is to empower patients along with their doctors to explore the best available options. A key part of my approach is emphasizing nutrition—specifically, a whole-food, plant-only diet. The evidence is clear: nutrition plays a crucial role in healing, and creating a strong foundation for recovery is essential. One of the most effective ways to support this process is by adopting an anti-inflammatory diet by eating plants.
How Cannabis Can Support Cancer Care
Every cancer patient’s journey is different, but cannabis and diet can play a role at any stage.
1. Remission: The Ultimate Goal
Every patient wants to live. I have seen patients in hospice exceed expectations, gaining more time and quality of life with diet changes and cannabis.
Does this mean cannabis cures cancer? We don’t have definitive human clinical trials to say so. But research shows:
Animal studies suggest cannabis may:
Kill cancer cells
Prevent metastasis
Reduce blood vessel growth feeding tumors
Patient case reports (or as I prefer to call them, clinical observations) suggest some patients have achieved remission using cannabis alongside traditional treatments. I’ve worked with patients diagnosed with prostate, breast, pancreatic, colon, lung, lymphoma, and other cancers—some of whom are now years into remission.
2. Symptom Relief: Improving Quality of Life
Cancer treatments can be challenging. Many patients struggle with:
Severe nausea & vomiting
Wasting (cachexia)
Debilitating pain
Depression & anxiety
Crippling fatigue
Some patients can’t even complete their prescribed treatments due to these side effects. Cannabis can help.
I’ve seen patients regain appetite, energy, and mood, allowing them to stay engaged in their lives—a therapeutic success in itself.
3. Empowerment: Regaining Control
A cancer diagnosis is destabilizing. Patients often feel powerless, at the mercy of doctors and pharmaceuticals.
But when patients actively participate in their care—choosing cannabis, adjusting their diet—they reclaim a sense of control. This empowerment can be just as healing as any medication.
Where to Start: Resources for Patients & Families
If you’re a patient, friend, or family member, finding qualified professionals is key. Here’s where to look:
📍 For Medical Cannabis Guidance
🔗 Society of Cannabis Clinicians – Search for cannabis-literate physicians by zip code. The site also has a resource library with scientific articles and white papers.
📍 For Nutrition & Plant-Based Medicine Experts
🔗 Plant-Based Doctors – Find physicians specializing in nutrition and disease prevention.
Final Thoughts: Personalized Care Is Essential
Like any treatment, cannabis is not one-size-fits-all. Every patient responds differently, so treatment must be monitored, adjusted, and personalized.
Key Takeaways for Using Cannabis Medicine:
✔ Start low, go slow – Adjust dosing based on goals & benchmarks.
✔ Work with qualified professionals – Guidance matters.
✔ Combine therapies – Cannabis combined with diet, mindset, and traditional medicine may be the best combination for success.
Cancer sucks. But there are tools that can help—and cannabis is one of them.
