Cancer Q&A

An estimated 1.8 million new cancer cases are diagnosed annually in the United States. If you’re not finding relief from the chronic pain, nausea, and other symptoms cancer can cause, it may be time to consider medical marijuana. At Medical Marijuana Doctors of Louisiana, Peter Candelora, MD, offers evaluations that meet Louisiana’s requirements for the medical marijuana program. Dr. Candelora can determine if you’re a candidate for a marijuana prescription to support your existing treatments. Call the office in Metairie, Louisiana, to see if you qualify for medical marijuana to treat cancer symptoms or book an appointment online today.

What is cancer?

Cancer is a disease that causes cells in the body to grow abnormally and uncontrollably. The abnormal cells can also spread and affect nearby tissues, bones, and blood.

Collections of cancerous cells, or tumors, can grow large enough to interfere with the function of your organs and other biological systems.

While the root cause of cancer isn’t well understood, certain risk factors can increase your risk of developing the disease. These risks can include:

• Age
• Genetics
• Other chronic health conditions
• Lifestyle choices like smoking or drinking
• Exposure to environmental toxins

Depending on where cancer develops or spreads, the disease can cause symptoms that affect your quality of life, including intense and persistent pain.

Medical marijuana may be an effective treatment option for cancer's chronic pain and can relieve many other symptoms the disease causes.

What is medical marijuana?

Medical marijuana comes from the dried leaves and buds of the Cannabis sativa plant. The active ingredients in medical marijuana are known as cannabinoids, which break down into the chemicals delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannabidiol (CBD).

THC produces the high sensation marijuana is known for when you smoke it, vape it, or consume it in edible form. CBD doesn’t produce the high effect THC does but can counteract the effect THC has on you.

Under the state laws of Louisiana, medical marijuana is only available in non-raw, non-smokable form, including:

• Oils
• Pills
• Sprays
• Capsules
• Extracts
• Tinctures
• Solutions
• Suspension
• Chewables
• Skin patches
• Suppositories

Metered-dose inhalers are also available to meet your needs and your dosing requirements.

How does medical marijuana treat cancer?

The THC in medical marijuana can relieve many symptoms that cancer causes, including pain, nausea, and inflammation. CBD is beneficial for people who experience cancer symptoms like seizures and anxiety.

Dr. Candelora offers medical marijuana evaluations in-office to determine if you qualify for its use in your cancer treatment. He performs a comprehensive physical exam, reviews your medical history, and evaluates the effectiveness of your current cancer treatments.

You may be a candidate for a medical marijuana prescription if you're looking for an alternative treatment option to potentially addictive pain medications or if your medications are no longer relieving your pain.

If Dr. Candelora clears you for the medical marijuana program through the state of Louisiana, he sends your prescription to one of the marijuana dispensaries in the state where you pick it up.

Call Medical Marijuana Doctors of Louisiana to find out if you qualify for medical marijuana to treat cancer or book an appointment online today.