Breast Cancer, CBD & Cannabis: A Guide

Breast Cancer, CBD and Cannabis: A Guide for Awareness Month

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time when the entire country rallies to  educate ourselves about this disease, its risk factors, treatments and management options. Personally it’s a very important month as it reminds me of my mothers fight with cancer that eventually led to her leaving this life. It was 20 years ago that she passed and I moved to Miami to begin my journey to become a physician. I remember details as viscerally and vividly as if they occurred yesterday.

I remember seeing my mom pull out clumps of her hair and show them to me. It was as if she was saying “Look at what’s happening to me”. She had a head full of beautiful hair like Diana Ross used to rock. I could tell how much losing her hair depressed her.

 She was also in pain from chemotherapy, the opiods she was prescribed constipated her. She hated taking those things, but that was the only thing that could touch the pain. It got so bad for her that she asked me to give her an enema. She said that I was the only person in the house that could handle the assignment. She had a way of gassing my head up and then getting me to do stuff lol. I consider her my first patient. She was the first person I took care of.

The opioids also made her itch, sometimes they left her in a stupor. I would sometimes see her sitting on the couch zoned out. It was like she wasn't even there. It got so bad that she eventually stopped taking the vicodins, oxy’s, percocet and whatever else they prescribed. She decided that she was going to go all natural and  I watched her suffer in pain for many many months before she passed. It broke my heart. We tried both western and traditional medicine and could not find the happy ending we so deeply wanted. Even the prayers didn't work. I felt helpless. 

My family, like many others over the world, have a personal relationship with Breast cancer. It is one of the most morbid forms of cancer in terms of its effects on not only the body, but the mind and the spirit. My experience has led me to become active in  cancer charities like Men Wear Pink, Susan G. Koman and The National Breast Cancer Foundation. It’s also why I’m starting a foundation in her honor. Most importantly, it’s allowed me to use my life experience and medical education to care for  people in ways that weren't available to my mother. 

What is Breast Cancer?

Breast cancer begins when cells in the breast tissue grow uncontrollably, forming a tumor. Tumors can be benign (non-cancerous) or malignant (cancerous). Breast cancer typically starts in the milk ducts (ductal carcinoma) or the glands that produce milk (lobular carcinoma). It can spread to other areas of the body, a process known as metastasis.

According to the American Cancer Society, there were an estimated 297,790 new cases of invasive breast cancer in women in 2023 in the U.S. alone. Early detection through self-exams, mammograms, and healthcare visits can help catch the disease at a more treatable stage.

Pearls:

1. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women globally.
2. Men can also develop breast cancer, though it accounts for about 1% of cases.

Demographics: Who is Affected?

Breast cancer affects individuals of all ages, races, and socioeconomic backgrounds. However, certain factors increase the risk. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), women over 50 are more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer, with approximately 85% of cases occurring in postmenopausal women.

African American women are disproportionately affected by triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), an aggressive subtype that lacks hormone receptors and is more difficult to treat. A 2019 study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology found that African American women are more likely to be diagnosed with TNBC at younger ages compared to white women. African American women have a 40% breast cancer mortality rate – the highest of any U.S. racial or ethnic group. Sisters who used hair dye every 1-2 months have a 60% higher risk of developing breast cancer. Breast cancer is the leading cause of cancer death amongst black women with sisters having a 42% higher death rate than their caucasian counterparts. 

Overlapping with all of this morbid information is the fact that socioeconomic status can also play a role, as those from lower-income backgrounds may have limited access to healthcare, leading to delays in detection and treatment.

Additional factors include:

• Genetics: Mutations in the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genes are responsible for a higher risk of breast cancer. Women with these mutations have a significantly increased chance of developing the disease.

• Race: African American women are more likely to develop aggressive forms of breast cancer at younger ages and tend to have worse outcomes than white women, largely due to factors like access to healthcare, genetic differences, and tumor biology.

Pearls:

1. African American women under 40 are twice as likely to develop triple-negative breast cancer as white women.
2. Nearly 85% of breast cancer cases occur in women with no family history of the disease.

Traditional Treatments: Pros and Cons

Traditional breast cancer treatments typically include surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, and hormone therapy. The best option often depends on the cancer's stage, type, and the patient’s overall health.

• Surgery (lumpectomy or mastectomy) involves removing the tumor or the entire breast tissue.
  Pros: Effective at removing localized tumors.
  Cons: Can lead to physical and emotional challenges, such as changes in body image and scarring.

• Chemotherapy uses drugs to kill rapidly dividing cancer cells.
  Pros: Effective for treating cancer that has spread or is more aggressive.
  Cons: Side effects include nausea, hair loss, and increased infection risk due to immune system suppression. According to a 2020 study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, approximately 30% of women undergoing chemotherapy experience severe fatigue.

• Radiation therapy uses high-energy rays to target and kill cancer cells.
  Pros: Helps reduce the risk of cancer returning, especially after surgery.
  Cons: Side effects include fatigue, skin irritation, and potential damage to nearby organs.

• Hormone therapy: Some breast cancers are hormone receptor-positive, meaning they grow in response to estrogen or progesterone. Hormone therapies can block these hormones.
  Pros: Highly effective for hormone receptor-positive cancers.
  Cons: Can cause menopausal symptoms like hot flashes and may increase the risk of blood clots.

Pearls:

1. The 5-year survival rate for localized breast cancer is around 99%, according to the American Cancer Society.
2. Targeted therapies like HER2 inhibitors have become more available and effective in treating specific breast cancer types.

Holistic Treatments: Pros and Cons

Holistic treatments are often used alongside traditional cancer therapies to help manage symptoms and improve overall well-being. These can include acupuncture, dietary changes, mindfulness practices, and herbal supplements.

• Acupuncture
  Pros: Can alleviate chemotherapy-induced nausea and reduce pain. Studies, including one published in JAMA Oncology in 2016, suggest that acupuncture may help reduce hot flashes in breast cancer survivors.
  Cons: Not a direct treatment for cancer and may not be suitable for everyone.

• Dietary changes
  Pros: Certain foods, such as those rich in antioxidants, may improve overall health and aid recovery. The American Institute for Cancer Research suggests that a diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains may reduce the risk of cancer recurrence.
  Cons: There is no specific diet proven to cure breast cancer, and it’s essential to work with healthcare providers to avoid any negative interactions with treatments.

• Mindfulness and meditation
  Pros: Practices like yoga and meditation can reduce stress and improve mood. A 2019 study found that yoga helped reduce fatigue and improve the quality of life in breast cancer survivors.
  Cons: While beneficial for emotional well-being, these practices do not directly treat cancer.

Pearls:

1. Yoga can help reduce fatigue and improve quality of life for breast cancer survivors.
2. Herbal supplements can interfere with treatments like chemotherapy, and cause drug interactions so it’s crucial to consult your doctor first.

Cannabis and CBD for Managing Symptoms

Cannabis and CBD (cannabidiol) have garnered interest for their potential in managing cancer-related symptoms such as pain, nausea, and anxiety. While they are not a cure for cancer, they can offer symptomatic relief, especially for those undergoing chemotherapy.

CBD and cannabis have shown potential in improving the quality of life for cancer patients, particularly when it comes to managing the side effects of opioids, which are commonly prescribed for cancer-related pain. Opioids, while effective for pain relief, often cause uncomfortable side effects such as constipation, pruritus (itching), lethargy, and a high risk of addiction. Studies suggest that CBD and cannabis can help mitigate some of these opioid-induced symptoms. For instance, cannabinoids can act as natural anti-inflammatories and may reduce the need for high doses of opioids, thus minimizing side effects like lethargy and constipation. 

Additionally, cannabis can stimulate appetite and improve mood, helping to combat cancer-related weight loss and emotional distress, including anxiety and depression. This makes cannabis and CBD valuable tools for enhancing both the physical and emotional well-being of cancer patients, contributing to a more balanced and manageable treatment experience.

• Smoking or vaping cannabis
  Pros: Provides rapid relief from symptoms like pain and nausea.
  Cons: Smoking can irritate the lungs, and there are concerns about long-term respiratory health.

• Capsules and tinctures
  Pros: Longer-lasting effects and easier on the lungs.
  Cons: Slower onset of relief, making it harder to gauge appropriate dosing.

• Topical
  Pros: Can target localized pain without affecting the whole body.
  Cons: Limited research on effectiveness for cancer-related pain relief.

A 2022 study published in the Journal of Supportive Care in Cancer found that cancer patients using CBD reported improved quality of life and reduced pain levels. Additionally, a 2019 study in the Journal of Breast Cancer Research highlighted the anti-inflammatory and anti-tumor properties of cannabinoids, although more clinical research is needed to determine their efficacy in cancer treatment.

Pearls:

1. CBD is non-psychoactive, meaning it does not cause a “high” like THC.
2. Some studies suggest that cannabinoids may help slow the growth of certain breast cancer cells, though more research is required.

Rolling It Up

I hope that you’ve learned something that you can use to impact your life or the life of another person or family. Breast Cancer Awareness Month allows me to spend some time on a subject that's very personal to me. As you can see from the data, this disease is especially morbid in the variety of ways it can affect a woman.  

When my mom was in her fight, some traditional therapies and holistic options were scoffed upon. Now they are accepted and even integrated into treatment plans. At that time, CBD and Cannabis were unavailable legally in New York and to be honest we wouldn't have even considered it (the propaganda had us in a headlock). These days I/ we know better. CBD may not be the miracle cure that some people claim it to be, but it is known to be able to help with many of the symptoms associated with treatments like surgery, chemo and radiation. It can also help decrease the use of opioid/ narcotic pain relievers that can diminish quality of life in breast cancer patients. With the work that I do, I feel a sense of purposefulness as if everything happened in my life the way it was meant to be. I consider it a privilege to be able to care for people who are looking for answers as I know that feeling very well. If you ever have any questions, please contact us. I’d love to hear your stories and questions. 

As always, make sure you consult with a healthcare provider before starting any supplements. In addition, if you want to purchase my recommended CBD/ Cannabis products, you can shop confidently with us. 

Pearls:

1. Early detection through regular mammograms significantly improves survival rates.
2. Ongoing research is exploring new treatments for breast cancer, including targeted therapies and CBD.