How Marijuana May Help You Cope With The Effects Of Colon Cancer

by Brent Woods

If you've been diagnosed with colon cancer, you're probably facing a lot of unknowns. One of the first things your medical doctors and oncologist will want to do is get you started on some sort of treatment regimen. The issue with many medicines and procedures is that it can leave you with a lot of unwanted side effects. Here are some ways that a natural or alternative remedy, such as marijuana, may help you cope with the effects of cancer treatment.

Pain

Colon cancer is the third most common cancer in the U.S, according to the American Cancer Society. It's a type of cancer that occurs in the large intestine (colon) and can form or spread to other areas of the colon as well as other parts of the body. Because colon cancer rarely has symptoms in the early stages, it can produce painful symptoms as the tumor grows or spreads as the disease advances. If you have a tumor and are undergoing radiation, you will likely have some form of pain. Your radiation oncologist will likely offer you pain meds such as morphine or oxycodone to control your pain. If marijuana is legal in your state, you may be able to obtain a medical marijuana card to use marijuana to fight pain.

Depression And Anxiety

A diagnosis of colon cancer can be devastating and frightening, especially if it was found in a later stage or advanced part of the disease. If you've applied for your medical marijuana card for medicinal purposes, and were approved, you can ask your doctor if you should take it for depression and anxiety. Marijuana may be able to help you relax and cope with the stress of being diagnosed and facing an uncertain future.

Nausea And Vomiting

Your oncologist will set up a treatment plan for your colon cancer that is based on your:

  • Bloodwork
  • Biopsy results
  • Potential surgical plan
  • Medicinal plan, including pain management and control

Once your disease is staged, your oncologist may recommend:

  • Surgery to shrink the tumor
  • Chemotherapy to kill any remaining cancer cells

Surgery can be painful and the effects of chemotherapy can be very difficult to cope with. While you'll likely be prescribed anti-nausea and anti-vomiting medications, medical marijuana may help with increasing your appetite and controlling bouts of frequent nausea.

Tumor Shrinkage

There is new research suggesting that cannabis oil and other forms of medical marijuana may be able to help certain people fight cancer. In some cases, it may shrink your tumor or prevent it from growing larger. It is your choice to decide if cannabis oil and medical marijuana may help you shrink your tumor or provide more natural benefits to treating the side effects of your current medicinal cancer treatment.

Please keep in mind that natural remedies have not been approved by the Food and Drug Association to cure cancer and some other diseases. Always speak to your doctor about what natural remedies you may be using. If you've spoken with your doctor and believe that marijuana may be right in helping you in your treatment, visit Best 420 Health and Wellness or another medicinal marijuana clinic near you.


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