Abstract

Research Article

Expectations versus reality: Improvement of symptom control and quality of life of oncology patients using medical cannabis

Lea Ochayon*, Hana Spiro and Ilana Kadmon

Published: 22 July, 2020 | Volume 4 - Issue 1 | Pages: 027-031

Aim: To compare the expectations and the reality of oncology patients in terms of to the use of medical cannabis, including symptom control and related quality of life.

Research question: Is there a difference between oncology patients expectations and their reality concerning the use of medical cannabis and what do oncology patients experience regarding symptom control and quality of life?

Method: This research was done in a tertiary hospital in Israel at the oncology clinic A comparative study that used self- administered questionnaires for patients who received authorization to use medical cannabis. The first questionnaire was given to patients after receiving the authorization to use medical cannabis and asked about their expectations related to its use. Patients filled out the same questionnaire for the second time, approximately two months after. Comparison of the respondent’s answers, before and after using medical cannabis, showed reality of improving symptom control and Quality of Life.

Results: Seventy-four patients completed both questionnaires. Most patients reported advantage in symptom control when using medical cannabis, although their expectations were somewhat higher than the reality experienced. Advantage of using medical cannabis was also found concerning improvement of quality of life. Seventy-five of patients still used medical cannabis once completing the second questionnaire and most of them reported that they would recommend the use of medical cannabis.

Conclusion: It can be seen from this study that for many oncology patients the use of medical cannabis may be very helpful. However, the use of cannabis is not free of side effects, as can be seen from the patients’ reports. This has clear implications for oncology nursing practice and may lead to a better understanding of patients using medical cannabis in the future, in terms of its benefit and side effects. 

Read Full Article HTML DOI: 10.29328/journal.cjncp.1001024 Cite this Article Read Full Article PDF

Keywords:

Oncology patients; Medical cannabis; Expectations; Symptom control

References

  1. MacCalluma C, Russob E. Practical considerations in medical cannabis administration and dosing", European Journal of Internal Medicine. 2018; 49: PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29307505/
  2. https://greendorphin.com/dr-david-bearman-cannabis-cancer-/interview-nimbin-mardigrass-2017
  3. Cannabis and Cancer: How "Marijuana" Helps the Body Heal. https://thetruthaboutcancer.com/cannabis-and-cancer
  4. Taha T, Meiri D, Talhamy S, Wollner M, Peer A, et al. Cannabis Impacts Tumor Response Rate to Nivolumab in Patients with Advanced Malignancies. The Oncologist. 2019; 24.
  5. Compton W, Volkow N, Lopez M. Medical Marijuana Laws and Cannabis Use - Intersections of Health and Policy. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017; 74: 559-560. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28445570/
  6. Hasin DS, Sarvet AL, Cerdá M, Keyes KM, Stohl M, et al. US adult illicit cannabis use, cannabis use disorder, and medical marijuana laws: 1991-1992 to 2012-2013. JAMA Psychiatry. 2017; 74: 579-588. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28445557/
  7. National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine. The Health Effects of Cannabis and Cannabinoids: Current State of Evidence and Recommendations for Research. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press; 2017. PubMed: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK423845/
  8. Balneaves L, Alraja A. Guarding their practice: a descriptive study of Canadian nursing policies and education related to medical cannabis. B.M.C. Nursing. 2019; 18: 66.
  9. Beare M, LeBaron V, Gilson A. The use of Cannabis in response to the opioid crisis: A review of the literature. 2017. PubMed: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28993073/
  10. Palace ZJ, Reingold DA. Medical Cannabis in skilled nursing facility: A novel approach to improving symptom management and quality of life. JAMDA. 2019; 20: 94-98. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/30580820

Figures:

Figure 1

Figure 1

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 1

Figure 3

Similar Articles

Recently Viewed

  • Approaching Mental Health Through a Preventive Data Analysis Platform
    Gabriel F Pestana and Olga Valentim* Gabriel F Pestana, Olga Valentim*. Approaching Mental Health Through a Preventive Data Analysis Platform. Arch Psychiatr Ment Health. 2024: doi: 10.29328/journal.apmh.1001052; 8: 020-027
  • Second Stage of Labor Cesarean Section Maternal and Fetal Outcomes
    Ahazeej Gurashi, Ameer Osman, Hajar Suliman, Ayat Eltigani, Isra Siralkatim, Hamza Orfali and Awadalla Abdelwahid Suliman* Ahazeej Gurashi, Ameer Osman, Hajar Suliman, Ayat Eltigani, Isra Siralkatim, Hamza Orfali, Awadalla Abdelwahid Suliman*. Second Stage of Labor Cesarean Section Maternal and Fetal Outcomes. Clin J Obstet Gynecol. 2024: doi: 10.29328/journal.cjog.1001159; 7: 025-033
  • Surgical and Delivery Outcomes of Coexisting Uterine Fibroids with Pregnancies in Nigeria
    Ade-Ojo Idowu Pius* and Odetola Amoo A Ade-Ojo Idowu Pius*, Odetola Amoo A. Surgical and Delivery Outcomes of Coexisting Uterine Fibroids with Pregnancies in Nigeria. Clin J Obstet Gynecol. 2024: doi: 10.29328/journal.cjog.1001161; 7: 037-041
  • Endometriosis as a risk factor for colorectal cancer
    Víctor Manuel Vargas-Hernández*, José María Tovar- Rodríguez and Víctor Manuel Vargas-Aguilar Víctor Manuel Vargas-Hernández*,José María Tovar- Rodríguez,Víctor Manuel Vargas-Aguilar . Endometriosis as a risk factor for colorectal cancer. Clin J Obstet Gynecol. 2020: doi: 10.29328/journal.cjog.1001057; 3: 093-097
  • Pediatric Dysgerminoma: Unveiling a Rare Ovarian Tumor
    Faten Limaiem*, Khalil Saffar and Ahmed Halouani Faten Limaiem*, Khalil Saffar, Ahmed Halouani. Pediatric Dysgerminoma: Unveiling a Rare Ovarian Tumor. Arch Case Rep. 2024: doi: 10.29328/journal.acr.1001087; 8: 010-013

Read More

Most Viewed

Read More

Help ?