Breast cancer is a major and growing health issue among women. Invasive breast cancer is the most common type cancer affecting women worldwide, and the second-most-common type overall, according to the Susan G. Komen foundation. This year, an estimated 232,000 cases will be diagnosed just in the US. Early detection and successful treatment are crucial for survival.
According to doctors and patients we have worked closely with, breast cancer tumors can be effectively treated with cannabis oil. However, they caution, the ratios of the tumor-busting cannabinoids THC and CBD must be matched to the classification of breast cancer—with certain kinds of breast cancer, namely those that are estrogen-
positive, the tumor will actually grow if too much THC is used!
Although there are many types of breast cancer, they are usually grouped into four categories, depending on how they show up on diagnostic tests:
- Estrogen receptor positive (ER+) or progesterone receptor positive (PR+): About two in three cases of breast cancer (more in older women) have receptors for one or both of these hormones.
- HER2/neu (a.k.a. HER2 or ErbB2): HER2/neu is a protein that is over-copied by certain types of breast cancer. HER2-positive cancers spread more rapidly than other types of cancer.
- Triple negative: These breast cancers do not have estrogen or progesterone receptors and don’t show overproduction of HER2. Triple-negative breast cancers spread aggressively because they don’t respond to hormones or drugs that target HER2, but chemotherapy is an option.
- Triple positive: These types of breast cancer are ER+ and PR+, and they have too much HER2 production. They can be treated with hormones, HER2 drugs, and chemo.
Research has shown that PR+, HER2-positive, and triple-negative breast cancers can be effectively treated with cannabis. The protocols recommended by doctors we work with tend to have high THC-to-CBD ratios, often around 4:1.
Cancers that involve estrogen, however, may actually spread in response to large amounts of THC. Patients with ER+ or triple-positive breast cancer do better with lower ratios of THC to CBD—a ratio 1:1 or 1:3 is preferable, according to doctors and patients we’ve spoken with.
This recommendation comes from doctor and patient experience, not from clinical evidence. Although we have been unable to find any research on this, UPG is hearing from doctors, nurses, and patients that these dosages are best for treating these different types of breast cancer. We would like to hear from everyone who has
experience or knowledge about this topic, and we invite you to share your thoughts in the comments.
Do not forget to schedule your regular check-ups with your doctor.
- Cannabidiol as a novel inhibitor of Id-1 gene expression in aggressive breast cancer cells
- Cannabinoids reduce ErbB2-driven breast cancer progression through Akt inhibition
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