CBD for Breast Cancer: Can it Help?

Research is being undertaken to establish if there are any potential benefits to CBD in treating breast cancer.

Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds found in the Cannabis Sativa plant, Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and Cannabidiol (CBD) are two of the most active and most studied. Research into both of these chemicals is severely lacking, largely due to very tight restrictions on these substances up until very recently. However, research into how CBD affects breast cancer patients is a developing area and there are new studies being published regularly that can expand our knowledge of potential benefits/risks.

Treating inflammation

Inflammation is considered a critical component of cancer progression. Research has shown how Cannabis Sativa’s chemical compounds have been known to reduce inflammation with regards to several conditions. There is some evidence to suggest that CBDA (another CBD related cannabinoid) could help to control inflammation and prevent the migration of breast cancer cells specifically. In fact, CBD is already being used to help control inflammation and modulate cancer progression in some cases. 

Treating symptoms

The US National Cancer Institute has acknowledged that cannabinoids ‘may help treat the side effects of cancer and cancer treatment’. These side effects could include anxiety, pain, loss of appetite, nausea and vomiting. In fact, two THC-based cannabinoid drugs (dronabinol and nabilone) are already approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for the prevention or treatment of nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy.

 Latest research

In 2020, a new study was published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences demonstrating how CBD may be useful for cancer therapy. It reported that malignant cells that were exposed to CBD became more sensitive to standard cancer treatment, making the treatment more effective overall, while providing the therapeutic benefits of CBD in the process. 

However, even though CBD has been shown to have therapeutic benefits for some breast cancer patients, there are some researchers that would like to see more clinical evidence in support of using cannabis to treat cancer directly. There are still gaps in our understanding and more clinical trials are being undertaken all the time. There is much left to be understood but the initial reports look promising. 

Please remember that if you are a breast cancer patient, you should speak to your doctor and/or oncologist before attempting to self medicate.  This food supplement should be taken as part of a varied diet and healthy lifestyle. This product is a food supplement and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.