Oncologist Makes the Case That Cancer Doctors Should Recommend Cannabis to Patients | Research

The takeaway

An oncologist argues that cannabis, already proven safe and effective for chemotherapy nausea and appetite loss, should be recommended by cancer doctors for its ability to simultaneously address pain, mood, sleep, and appetite without the need for multiple prescriptions.

Oncologists, cancer patients, palliative care providers.

Cannabis addresses five symptom domains simultaneously (nausea, appetite, pain, mood, sleep) - an unusual advantage over single-target medications.

What the researchers found

Cannabis analgesic effects are supported by the best clinical evidence. THC is already FDA-approved for chemotherapy nausea (since 1986) and AIDS wasting (since 1992). Significant preclinical anticancer activity exists but clinical evidence is absent. A single intervention addressing nausea, appetite, pain, mood, and sleep is a valuable addition to palliative care. Evidence for serious harms from cannabis inhalation is scant.

Why it matters

Cancer patients often take multiple medications for different symptoms. This review argues that cannabis could address several symptoms simultaneously, reducing polypharmacy and improving quality of life for patients with limited time.

The numbers in context

THC approved for chemotherapy nausea since 1986, appetite stimulation since 1992. Pain relief has the strongest clinical evidence. Multiple symptom domains addressed by one intervention: nausea, appetite, pain, mood, sleep.

How the study worked

Narrative review by an oncologist examining the evidence for cannabis in cancer care, covering pain, nausea, appetite, mood, sleep, and potential anticancer properties.

What this study cannot tell us

Narrative review by a known cannabis medicine advocate. Anticancer evidence is preclinical only. Recommendations go beyond what some systematic reviews support. Risk tolerance may differ by patient population.

How to read the evidence

Moderate - expert opinion piece grounded in clinical evidence and personal experience, but represents one perspective rather than systematic analysis.

When this study was published

Published in 2019.

The bigger picture

Despite federal restrictions limiting research, the author argues oncologists have enough evidence to recommend cannabis and should gather "first-hand evidence" by incorporating it into practice. This represents a growing voice within mainstream oncology.

Questions still open

Can oncologists recommend cannabis in good conscience despite limited RCT data? Would formal clinical trials change practice, or is real-world evidence sufficient? How should oncologists balance symptom relief against uncertain long-term effects?

Common questions

Should cancer patients use cannabis?

This oncologist argues yes, noting cannabis can simultaneously address pain, nausea, appetite loss, mood problems, and sleep difficulties. THC has been FDA-approved for chemotherapy nausea since 1986, and pain relief has the strongest clinical evidence.

Can cannabis cure cancer?

Despite significant preclinical evidence of anticancer activity, there is currently no clinical evidence that cannabis cures cancer in humans. This oncologist recommends cannabis for symptom management and palliative care rather than as a cancer treatment.

Read the original research

Should Oncologists Recommend Cannabis?

Current treatment options in oncology, 20(7), 59

View on PubMed ↗Publisher’s paper ↗

Citation

Abrams, Donald I. (2019). Should Oncologists Recommend Cannabis?. Current treatment options in oncology, 20(7), 59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11864-019-0659-9