Terminal Cancers
Cancer is a very common condition, with around one in two people developing some form of cancer in their lifetimes. While cancer itself is highly debilitating, treatments associated with the condition can also have their own significant side effects which often require management. Adjunctive therapies are often used to minimise these side effects and promote the highest quality of life for the patient. While in many cases, cancer is treatable, it can be a terminal condition which may require palliative care.
What are the symptoms?
The symptoms of terminal cancer can vary significantly depending on the form of cancer and the part of the body affected. However, symptoms including pain, loss of appetite and/or weight, nausea and vomiting, and Depression or Anxiety may be particular concerns when delivering palliative care.
Cause and treatment
As terminal cancer can refer to numerous forms of cancer, the exact cause can vary widely. However, in some cases, lifestyle and genetics can play a role in causing the onset of cancer.
While treatments for cancer commonly include chemotherapy and radiotherapy, such aggressive options are often avoided in terminal cases as the side effects associated with these treatments can lead to significant suffering. Alternatively, treatment for terminal cancer commonly puts a priority on symptom management.
Medical Cannabis and Terminal Cancers
There are a large number of studies that have demonstrated the potential positive effects of medical cannabis for a number of symptoms of cancer and side effects of cancer treatments such as chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery. Medical cannabis may be a helpful addition to palliative care to improve the quality of life of terminal cancer patients as well as improving Cancer-Related Pain, Chemotherapy-Induced Nausea and Vomiting, and Cancer-Related Appetite Loss.
Our specialist physicians are experienced in assessing individual cases and helping to determine the correct therapy for each patient. In some cases, medical cannabis may be useful in cases of palliative care where traditional treatments have failed to offer relief.
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