According to the World Cancer Research Fund, prostate cancer is the 4th most common cancer worldwide and is the 2nd most common cancer in men. In the most recent year for which statistics are available (2022), there were nearly 1.5 million new cases of prostate cancer diagnosed globally in that year alone.

“The rate of new cases of prostate cancer was 120.2 per 100,000 men per year. The death rate was 19.2 per 100,000 men per year.” states the National Cancer Research Institute. The Institute is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

A team of researchers based in South Africa and Canada, and affiliated with various academic research institutions, collaborated on an effort to examine medical cannabis use among prostate cancer patients. Their findings were published in the journal Medical Cannabis and Cannabinoids.

The researchers followed ninety patients diagnosed with prostate cancer, with the participants being placed into three groups: patients who relied on chemotherapy treatments (no cannabis), patients who relied on cannabis therapies (no chemotherapy), and patients who relied on both chemotherapy and cannabis treatments.

“PSA, PET/CT findings, and patient-reported outcomes (BPI, EQ-5D) were assessed at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Longitudinal changes were analysed using linear mixed-effects regression with group × time interactions, and between-group differences were tested with ANOVA. PET/CT categorical outcomes were evaluated using multinomial logistic regression to generate adjusted odds ratios.” the researchers wrote about their methodology.

“Significant temporal differences in PSA levels were detected among groups (p < 0.001); both cannabis-containing regimens showed faster PSA decline, but final values were comparable across treatments. PET/CT analyses indicated a higher likelihood of remission or tumour reduction in the combined group (p = 0.013). Cannabis use, alone or combined was associated with greater reductions in pain and improved emotional well-being compared with chemotherapy alone, while improvements in self-care and usual-activity scores were also observed.” the researchers found.

“Cannabinoid therapy, whether used independently or alongside chemotherapy, was associated with improved pain control and some indicators of tumour response, without evidence of harm.” the researchers concluded.

As always, people diagnosed with prostate cancer should work with their doctor(s) to determine which treatments are best for their situation. If you know someone who was diagnosed with cancer, always be cautious, mindful, and empathetic when sharing information with them, including information related to medical cannabis.