Medical Cannabis for Breast Cancer: Exploring Symptom Relief & Legal Access in the UK

Unfortunately breast cancer is a disease that affects so many people. Not just the people who are diagnosed, but also friends and family members. Whilst there are treatment options for cancer, they can come with some pretty unpleasant side effects like nausea and loss of appetite.

So, for people looking at ways to reduce nausea, increase appetite, ease anxiety, and find better breast cancer pain management solutions, medical cannabis may be an option. Usually if traditional treatments haven’t been effective or caused unwanted side effects. While research is still developing, many patients are interested in understanding how medical cannabis may support their wellbeing under clinical guidance. And, that’s what we’ll be exploring below. 

Can Medical Cannabis Support Breast Cancer Symptom Management?

Since 2018, medical cannabis has been legally available when prescribed by a specialist doctor through licensed clinics like Alternaleaf for 50+ conditions, including chronic pain, nausea, loss of appetite, and anxiety. Some of these you may recognise as common symptoms and/or effects of cancer and cancer treatment. You can find out if you’re eligible by completing the quick questionnaire on our website.

When it comes to medical cannabis for breast cancer, research is still ongoing. Medical advice is essential if you’re considering medical cannabis for cancer symptom relief - we dive a bit deeper into how to legally access medical cannabis in this article and below. 

Understanding Cannabinoids: THC, CBD, and the Endocannabinoid System

The cannabis plant is complex. It contains over 100 cannabinoids which are active compounds that can cause effects throughout the body. 

THC (Tetrahydrocannabinol) 

THC is a psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants, and it can produce a ‘high’. Some potential therapeutic benefits include appetite stimulation and pain relief.

CBD (Cannabidiol) 

CBD is a non-psychoactive compound found in cannabis plants and it’s known for its potential therapeutic benefits without causing a ‘high’. These potential therapeutic benefits include inflammation, anxiety, and overall wellbeing. 

ECS (Endocannabinoid System)

The ECS is a messenger and receptor system that experts believe plays a big role in homeostasis (the management of balance) within the human body. Research suggests that the ECS influences and modulates mood, appetite, sleep, pain, and much more.

One of the core components of the ECS are the cannabinoid receptors, which includes CB1 and CB2. They’re one of the main reasons behind why medical cannabis has the potential to work positively on so many different conditions. Cannabinoids like THC and CBD can interact with and influence the ECS and these receptors to potentially regulate pain, mood, immune function, and more.

But keep in mind, whilst there is evidence to give a general idea of how both THC and CBD may react with the body, they can affect every individual differently. And that includes THC and CBD for cancer symptoms and treatment.

What Does Research Say About Cannabis and Breast Cancer Treatment?

One of the main possible benefits of CBD for cancer patients is that it can potentially relieve pain by reducing inflammation when it indirectly interacts with the CB2 receptors. 

THC has the potential to help relieve nerve damage pain by interacting with the CB1 receptors, ease symptoms of nausea that result from treatments like chemotherapy, and stimulate the appetite. 

And sometimes both can work together to potentially produce different effects on certain health conditions. This is due to a phenomenon known as the entourage effect. 

Current research surrounding medical cannabis, breast cancer and cannabinoids is still in the early stages. These preclinical and early clinical studies are exploring how cannabinoids may interact with pathways involved in pain, inflammation, and other symptoms that some cancer patients experience as a symptom of both cancer and cancer treatment. While these findings (which we explored above) are promising, the evidence remains limited, and larger clinical trials are needed before any definitive therapeutic claims can be made.

Is Medical Cannabis Safe for Breast Cancer Patients?

Every medication comes with potential risks, and medical cannabis is no different. But possible side effects are rare, and can vary depending on THC and CBD content. Likewise, personal factors such as your past use, physiology and health condition could also play a role. Although medical cannabis is generally well tolerated, some possible side effects include:

• Fatigue
• Diarrhea
• Changes in appetite
• Changes in weight

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Dry Mouth
• Increased Appetite
• Psychoactive Effects. However, the ‘high’ feeling cannabis can be associated with is much more controlled with medical cannabis, as your prescriber will be able to advise on dosage to avoid this while still achieving symptom relief.  

Also keep in mind that medical cannabis could potentially interact with other medications. Your clinician will explain all this in detail ahead of prescribing any medication. And if you are experiencing any side effects, speak to them. It may be a simple case of altering your dosage. 

Always consult your healthcare professional if you’re considering cannabis-based prescription medicines for breast cancer or any other condition. You’ll have clinical supervision every step of the way with Alternaleaf. Our experts will personalise your treatment plan and alter it when necessary. They’ll assess your medical history before prescribing, and take any previous or current breast cancer medication into account. 

Things to Know Before Trying Medical Cannabis

Some cancer patients may consider medical cannabis after cancer treatment to help with ongoing concerns such as anxiety, trauma, or appetite loss. 

If you, or someone you know, is thinking about exploring medical cannabis treatment, it’s important to do so through safe, regulated clinical routes. We’ll explain in more detail the process of becoming a medical cannabis patient with a licensed clinic like Alternaleaf below. But, for anyone currently taking medication, particularly hormone therapies, speaking with a specialist is so important. 

Ultimately, we want to ensure treatment is safe, appropriate, and does not interfere with existing prescriptions. The caring clinicians at Alterneaf will also be able to guide you through this, and offer you expert advice. 

How to Access Medical Cannabis Legally in the UK

To be eligible for a medical cannabis prescription in the UK, you’ll need a diagnosis of a qualifying condition and evidence of being offered at least two conventional treatments for that condition. Medical cannabis can only be prescribed by specialist doctors, and prescriptions are only available to eligible patients under doctor supervision - usually through cannabis clinics in the UK like Alternaleaf. 

It’s only prescribed when other conventional treatments have not been effective or have caused unwanted side effects. This ensures that patients receive it only when clinically appropriate, as part of a regulated and supervised care plan.

If you’re pregnant or have a history of psychosis or schizophrenia, you won’t qualify. Treatment is carefully monitored and tailored to individual needs, and you can easily find out if you qualify by completing our 30 second eligibility checker.

We’ll decide if you’re likely to qualify for treatment or not based on the information you tell us. And if you are likely to qualify, you can book an initial assessment with one of our pharmacists. You’ll then have a doctor consultation where your medical history is assessed. If you’re approved, your medication will be dispensed from your chosen pharmacy. 

That’s a light overview of the process. It’ll be explained in a lot more detail during your appointments, and we’ll send you more information via email after you book your first appointment with us. We’ll give you medical oversight from specialist clinicians at every stage of your medical cannabis journey.

Summary 

Early research on how THC and CBD may interact with pathways involved in pain, inflammation and other symptoms linked to breast cancer looks promising. But ultimately, evidence is limited, and more high-quality trials are needed before any firm conclusions can be made. 

The best thing to do is speak to your clinician, or seek the help of a licensed medical cannabis clinic like Alternaleaf if you’re considering medical cannabis treatment. Becoming a patient of a regulated clinic with specialist support will ensure medical cannabis treatment is safe and appropriate alongside ongoing cancer care. Find out if you’re eligible by heading to our website and completing our 30 second eligibility checker.