| schema:text
| - Last Updated on September 3, 2024 by Nivedita
Quick Take
A social media post claims that marijuana is better than chemotherapy and can cure cancer. After conducting a thorough fact-check, this claim is determined to be False.
The Claim
A post on X (formerly Twitter) claims that marijuana has 34 cures for cancer. It further implies that chemotherapy is actually harmful, as it poisons the body.
Fact Check
Is marijuana better than chemotherapy?
No, marijuana is not better than chemotherapy for treating cancer. Chemotherapy is a standard cancer treatment that has been extensively studied and validated through rigorous clinical trials. It has been proven effective in treating a variety of cancers, either by shrinking tumours, slowing their growth, or eliminating cancer cells entirely.
Marijuana is potentially beneficial in managing certain cancer-related symptoms like pain, nausea, and loss of appetite. However, it does not have the same curative properties as chemotherapy. The idea that marijuana could replace chemotherapy or be a better option is not true as per scientific evidence. Some people also claim that natural remedies like soursop leaves are 4,000 times stronger than chemotherapy. But, these claims lack scientific backing and you should be careful while approaching these.
A social media post claims that spirulina, a type of blue-green algae has the potential to kill cancer cells.
Moreover, chemotherapy is often part of a comprehensive treatment plan that may include surgery, radiation, and other therapies specific to an individual’s needs. Skipping or replacing chemotherapy with marijuana could result in a lack of effective treatment, which can allow the cancer to progress unchecked.
We got valuable insights from Dr Akanksha Chhabra, Medical Oncologist, Max Healthcare, New Delhi. She says, “Marijuana is a type of cannabis. Certain anecdotes claim benefits of cannabis, but the point to note is that they only post success stories and do not mention potential harms. Marijuana can cause heart and health problems, addiction, and an increase in the incidence of certain tumors, especially when mixed with tobacco. There is no solid evidence to prove that cannabis can effectively treat cancer. Therefore, chemotherapy is undoubtedly a better way of fighting against cancer.”
Dr P. Rammanohar, Research Director at Amrita School of Ayurveda, Kollam, advises against relying solely on a single ingredient to treat cancer. He clarifies, “Cancer is not a single disease, and there is no one remedy for it. Different chemotherapy procedures treat various types of cancer. One drug does not work across all types of cancers.”
Is Chemotherapy equal to poisoning people?
No, chemotherapy is not the same as poisoning people. Chemotherapy is a well-established treatment that has been approved by regulatory bodies all over the world. The origins of chemotherapy are indeed linked to the development of drugs used during World War II. These include mustard gas derivatives. However, this does not mean it is simply a poison.
Chemotherapy works by targeting rapidly dividing cancer cells, but it can also affect healthy cells that divide quickly. For example, those in the hair, skin, and gut lining. This is why chemotherapy often has severe side effects, but calling it “poisoning” is misleading. The goal of chemotherapy is to destroy cancer cells or slow their growth. This can extend life, reduce symptoms, or, in some cases, cure the disease.
Comparing chemotherapy to poisoning overlooks major advances in cancer treatment. Targeted therapies have been developed to focus more specifically on cancer cells, reducing side effects. The benefits of chemotherapy have been proven in many studies. When combined with other treatments, it has led to significant improvements in survival rates. These advances have occurred over the past few decades.
We asked Dr Rakesh Kumar Sharma, Medical Oncologist, Max Healthcare, New Delhi, whether chemotherapy is simply poison. He states, “Even though some early chemotherapy drugs came from mustard gas, modern chemotherapeutics have advanced significantly. They are important in treating cancers and should not be dismissed as merely poisonous, as they play an important role in cancer treatment today.”
Does marijuana have cancer-healing properties?
No, not really. Marijuana has shown some potential in alleviating symptoms associated with cancer and its treatment, such as pain, nausea, and appetite loss. But, there is no conclusive evidence that it can cure cancer. The claim that marijuana has “34 cures for cancer” is false and not supported by scientific evidence. This mirrors other unreliable claims, such as the idea that Vitamin C can be used as a chemotherapy drug, which also lacks solid evidence.
Cannabinoids, the active compounds in marijuana, have been studied for their effects on cancer cells in laboratory settings. Some studies have found that cannabinoids can induce cell death or inhibit the growth of certain cancer cells in petri dishes and animal models. However, these findings do not translate directly to humans. We still need more research to determine whether marijuana or its derivatives can effectively treat cancer in clinical settings. This is similar to the unproven claims about fasting curing cancer, which also lack strong scientific evidence.
The use of marijuana in cancer treatment primarily focuses on palliative care—helping patients manage symptoms rather than cure the disease. The FDA has not approved marijuana as a treatment for cancer. The FDA has, however, approved certain cannabinoid-based medications, such as dronabinol and nabilone, for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting.
Can marijuana be considered as a replacement for chemotherapy?
No, marijuana cannot be considered a replacement for chemotherapy. Chemotherapy is a proven and effective treatment for many types of cancer. This form of therapy is often used in combination with surgery, radiation therapy, and other targeted therapies. Replacing chemotherapy with marijuana could lead to serious consequences. This can potentially include disease progression and reduced chances of survival.
Choosing unproven treatments like marijuana over chemotherapy can result in missing out on life-saving care. The decision to use or avoid chemotherapy should involve thorough consultations with an oncologist, considering the cancer type and stage. As per current evidence, marijuana may help manage symptoms. But, it is not a cure and cannot replace established cancer treatments. Promoting it as such is misleading and dangerous. This is likely to lead patients away from evidence-based options that could save their lives.
THIP Media Take
The social media post claiming that marijuana is better than chemotherapy and can cure cancer is False. Chemotherapy, even though it has its side effects, is a scientifically valid treatment that has significantly improved cancer survival rates. Marijuana, on the other hand, has not been proven to cure cancer and should not be considered a substitute for chemotherapy. It is essential for cancer patients to rely on medically approved treatments and consult with healthcare professionals before considering alternative therapies.
|
![[RDF Data]](/fct/images/sw-rdf-blue.png)
![[cxml]](/fct/images/cxml_doc.png)
![[csv]](/fct/images/csv_doc.png)
![[text]](/fct/images/ntriples_doc.png)
![[turtle]](/fct/images/n3turtle_doc.png)
![[ld+json]](/fct/images/jsonld_doc.png)
![[rdf+json]](/fct/images/json_doc.png)
![[rdf+xml]](/fct/images/xml_doc.png)
![[atom+xml]](/fct/images/atom_doc.png)
![[html]](/fct/images/html_doc.png)