October – Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month and we will shine some light on the use of CBD oil and Breast Cancer.
According to WebMD, your body has a natural endocannabinoid system, “a complex network of receptors on cells that regulates your daily body functions, such as inflammation, mood, and sleep,” says Marisa C. Weiss, MD, chief medical officer and founder of Breastcancer.org and director of breast radiation oncology at Lankenau Medical Center in Wynnewood, PA.
CBD interacts with this system, which can help reduce the side effects of breast cancer treatment such as pain, anxiety, insomnia, nausea, and vomiting.
CBD Oil and Breast Cancer Case Study
Andrea Mathias Schmucki, MD, a patient advocate for the Living Beyond Breast Cancer Hear My Voice advocacy programme and a former family physician, says, “As a doctor, I make the distinction between complementary and alternative medicine.” She is currently receiving treatment for breast cancer that has metastasized or spread to other parts of her body. “I view CBD as complementary, using it along with, rather than in place of, traditional treatment,” the author said.
According to Mathias Schmucki, she wouldn’t have placed much stock in CBD before she underwent a double mastectomy, reconstruction surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation for breast cancer in 2015. However, she would have supported her patients’ decision to use it. She was experiencing itchiness, scratching, and pain, but ibuprofen was doing nothing to help. “I was open to anything,” she said, expressing discomfort. She decided to try CBD oil.
She purchased some from her local pharmacy and took it orally every day for a month, noticing that it seemed to help on some days. But she wasn’t convinced that the CBD oil was responsible for the changes, so she didn’t replenish it when it ran out. Within three weeks, the excruciating pain had returned. She did extensive research on CBD and discovered a reputable company. She is now a believer. “It has significantly improved my daily quality of life,” she says.
Uses of CBD Oil
Weiss points out that CBD products other than oil include edibles, capsules, tinctures, creams and oils for skin, and sprays that can be used under the tongue.
Mathias Schmucki continues to use CBD oil orally. She also uses a topical CBD oil for the skin on her radiation-treated side to relieve dryness and discomfort, as well as a CBD extract in a coconut oil-based suspension as a personal lubricant for intercourse. “A lot of women with breast cancer experience sexual side effects because one of the mainstays of treatment is anti-estrogen,” she explains.
It is always advisable to discuss treatment with your doctor prior to starting.
If you take certain medications, such as blood thinners, thyroid and seizure medications, you will need periodic blood tests to ensure your levels are normal. If you’re taking this medication and intend to use CBD products, your doctor will need to monitor you to ensure your levels stay on track, according to Mathias Schmucki. “Because everyone is different, you won’t know how CBD will affect your body’s metabolism of other medications,” she explains.
CBD oil for stress and anxiety
Along with Breast Cancer Awareness month October also highlights World Mental Health Month. We have several clients who take CBD to manage their anxiety and stress.
Contact us today for more information on how CBD oil can help you!
24th October is Diwali, otherwise known as The Festival of Lights, which leads to fireworks being set off over this period. We encourage the use of CBD oil for your pets to assist in aiding the stress and anxiety caused by the Festival of Lights.
If you need more information on our pet CBD oil reach out to us!
Wishing all our Hindu clients and followers and very happy Diwali.
