Breast cancer patients using marijuana, not telling doctors, report shows
In an effort to ease the discomfort associated with breast cancer treatment, many patients are using marijuana — and most aren’t telling their doctors. That’s according to a study published earlier this month in the peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society.
Half the participants sought information on medical cannabis. Websites and other patients were reported to be the most helpful sources, while physicians ranked low. Most of those who looked for information on medical marijuana were dissatisfied with the information they obtained. Most people also considered the products safe, unaware that many products’ safety is untested.
“Our study highlights an important opportunity for providers to initiate informed conversations about medical cannabis with their patients, as the evidence shows that many are using medical cannabis without our knowledge or guidance,” lead author Dr. Marisa Weiss, of breastcancer.org and Pennsylvania’s Lankenau Medical Center, said in a press release.
