Survey: 76 percent of doctors approve of medical marijuana use – CBS

“A majority of doctors would approve the use of medical marijuana, according to a new survey.”

“”We were surprised by the outcome of polling and comments, with 76 percent of all votes in favor of the use of marijuana for medicinal purposes — even though marijuana use is illegal in most countries,” the survey’s authors wrote.

The results appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine on May 30. It included responses from 1,446 doctors from 72 different countries and 56 different states and provinces in North America. In addition, 118 doctors posted comments about their decision on the survey.

Doctors who said they would prescribe it talked a lot about the responsibility of caregivers to help minimize their patients suffering, their patients’ personal choice and the known dangers of prescription narcotics and painkillers. They also pointed out knowledge of personal cases where marijuana was able to help patients.”

More: http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-204_162-57587129/survey-76-percent-of-doctors-approve-of-medical-marijuana-use/

Medical Marijuana: 76% Of Doctors Would Prescribe It, Poll Finds – HUFFPOST

“Three out of four doctors would prescribe marijuana to a patient who was experiencing pain from cancer, according to the results of a poll published in the New England Journal of Medicine.”

Doctors Medical Marijuana

Most Docs OK With Medical Marijuana: Survey – US News and World Report

“Majority would give a prescription to an advanced cancer patient in pain. Three-quarters of doctors who responded to a survey about medical marijuana said they would approve the use of the drug to help ease pain in an older woman with advanced breast cancer.”

“The point of the vignette was to illustrate the kinds of patients that show up on our doorstep who need help. This issue is not one you can ignore, and some states have already taken matters into their own hands,” said Dr. J. Michael Bostwick, a professor of psychiatry at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn.

“There are no 100 percents in medicine. There’s a lot of anecdotal evidence that this is something we should study more. Forgive the pun, but there’s probably some fire where there’s smoke, and we should investigate the medicinal use of marijuana or its components,” Bostwick said.

Marijuana comes from the hemp plant Cannabis sativa. It’s a dry, shredded mix of the plant’s leaves, flowers, stems and seeds. It can be smoked as a cigarette or in a pipe, or it can be added to certain foods, such as brownies.”

More: http://health.usnews.com/health-news/news/articles/2013/05/29/most-docs-ok-with-medical-marijuana-survey

Most docs OK with medical marijuana, survey says – MedicalXpress

“Majority would give a prescription to an advanced cancer patient in pain.”

Most docs OK with medical marijuana: survey

 

 

 

 

“(HealthDay)—Three-quarters of doctors who responded to a survey about medical marijuana said they would approve the use of the drug to help ease pain in an older woman with advanced breast cancer.

In a February issue of the New England Journal of Medicine, doctors were presented with a case vignette, as well as arguments both for and against the use of medical marijuana. Doctors were then asked to decide whether or not they would approve such a prescription for this patient.

The results now appear in the May 30 edition of the journal.

Seventy-six percent of the 1,446 doctors who responded said they would give the woman a prescription for medical marijuana. Many cited the possibility of alleviating the woman’s symptoms as a reason for approving the prescription.”

More: http://medicalxpress.com/news/2013-05-docs-medical-marijuana-survey.html

HIGH HOPE ON CANCER

“MEN who regularly smoke cannabis may have a lower risk of developing bladder cancer, research suggests.”

MEN who regularly smoke cannabis may have a lower risk of developing bladder cancer
 

“Scientists found regular cannabis users were 45% less likely to get the disease compared with men who didn’t smoke the drug. 

Anil Thomas of Los Angeles Medical Centre in California tracked the incidence of bladder cancer among 82,050 men aged 45 to 69. 

Men who reported using cannabis once or twice had no reduction in the incidence of the cancer while those who had used the drug more than 500 times showed a reduction. 

Dr Thomas said: “Bladder cancer is the fourth most common malignancy in men. 

“The results could lead to further studies to determine if the active components of cannabis have biologic activity against bladder cancer.””

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/posts/view/317889High-hope-on-cancer

Study claims marijuana tied to lower bladder cancer risk – USA TODAY

“A new study compared the risk of bladder cancer in more than 83,000 men who smoked cigarettes only, marijuana only, or both substances. New research says smoking pot may be less likely to cause bladder cancer than smoking cigarettes.”

“The finding is potentially valuable, the study authors said, given the ongoing debate over legalizing marijuana for medical purposes.”

More: http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/05/11/study-claims-marijuana-tied-to-lower-bladder-cancer-risk/2153019/

“Association Between Cannabis Use and the Risk of Bladder Cancer: Results From the California Men’s Health Study.” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25623697

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/bladder-cancer/

Study Claims Marijuana Tied to Lower Bladder Cancer Risk

“Cannabis use only was associated with a 45 percent reduction in bladder cancer incidence, and tobacco use only was associated with a 52 percent increase in bladder cancer,” said study author Dr. Anil A. Thomas, a fellow in urology at Kaiser Permanente Medical Center in Los Angeles…

“The theory is that there are receptors in the bladder that are affected by cannabis,” he said.

The cannabinoids [compounds] in the marijuana may link with the cannabinoid receptors in the bladder and somehow protect against cell changes that can lead to cancer..”

More: http://www.healthfinder.gov/News/Article/676121/study-claims-marijuana-tied-to-lower-bladder-cancer-risk

“…using tobacco only was associated with an increased risk of bladder cancer, whereas cannabis use only was associated with a 45% reduction in bladder cancer… cannabis use may be inversely associated with bladder cancer risk…” http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25623697

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/bladder-cancer/

Yourwellness Magazine Follows Up Cannabis Bladder Cancer Study

“With a new study finding that smoking cannabis may be less likely to cause bladder cancer than smoking cigarettes, Yourwellness Magazine investigated how soon it will be until cancer immunisations become a reality.

According to a new study, funded by the Kaiser Permanente Research and Evaluation Centre and yet to be published, smoking cannabis may be less likely to cause bladder cancer than smoking cigarettes. This was based on data from more than 83,000 men who smoked cigarettes only, marijuana (cannabis) only, or both substances. The investigators found that men who only smoked pot were the least likely to develop bladder cancer over the course of 11 years.

Study author Dr. Anil A. Thomas, a fellow in urology at Kaiser Permanente Medical Centre in Los Angeles, who presented the findings May 6th at the American Urological Association annual meeting in San Diego, commented, “Cannabis use only was associated with a 45% reduction in bladder cancer incidence, and tobacco use only was associated with a 52% increase in bladder cancer.” He explained, “The theory is that there are receptors in the bladder that are affected by cannabis.”

More: http://www.prweb.com/releases/prweb2013/6/prweb10758783.htm

“Association Between Cannabis Use and the Risk of Bladder Cancer: Results From the California Men’s Health Study.”  http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25623697

http://www.thctotalhealthcare.com/category/bladder-cancer/

Melissa Etheridge: Pot got me through – CNN

Singer Melissa Etheridge became <a href='http://www.cnn.com/2009/SHOWBIZ/Music/06/16/ac360.etheridge/index.html'>an advocate for the use of medical marijuana</a> after her 2004 breast cancer diagnosis. She's one of several stars who have battled cancer or been affected by the disease. 
 

“(CNN) — My friends have always told me that rock stardom was wasted on me.

To them it seemed that being a rock star was a free ticket to debauchery. It was sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, and I was only taking advantage of two. Drugs were not a part of my rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. I wasn’t even much of a drinker. I have never thrown up from being over intoxicated.

What kind of rock star is that? I had certainly encountered drugs during the ’80s, mostly cocaine, but nothing about grinding my teeth and rambling on about myself appealed to me. During the ’90s, I smoked an occasional joint. Those were usually fun social occasions. My work was a drug-free zone.

Then in 2004, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The chemotherapy that was prescribed was called “dose dense”: a harsher, stronger chemo than the usual because I had the benefit of not having to work during the treatment. My close friends told me that, as an alternative, medical marijuana was a natural way to help with the excruciating side effects of chemo.

It worked. The entire experience changed my life. It opened my mind to a new way of thinking about my body, my health and the future.

This herb, this weed that is so strong it grows wild by the side of the road, has always been with us. In ancient times it was highly regarded and has even been found in tombs. It has even been put forth from some biblical scholars that Jesus may have used cannabis oil to heal.” 

Melissa Etheridge

Melissa Etheridge
 
 

Melissa Etheridge: Pot changed my life, singer advocates legalization of marijuana

WPTV Melissa Etheridge
 

“My friends have always told me that rock stardom was wasted on me.

To them it seemed that being a rock star was a free ticket to debauchery. It was sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll, and I was only taking advantage of two. Drugs were not a part of my rock ‘n’ roll lifestyle. I wasn’t even much of a drinker. I have never thrown up from being over intoxicated.

What kind of rock star is that? I had certainly encountered drugs during the ’80s, mostly cocaine, but nothing about grinding my teeth and rambling on about myself appealed to me. During the ’90s, I smoked an occasional joint. Those were usually fun social occasions. My work was a drug-free zone.

Then in 2004, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. The chemotherapy that was prescribed was called “dose dense”: a harsher, stronger chemo than the usual because I had the benefit of not having to work during the treatment. My close friends told me that, as an alternative, medical marijuana was a natural way to help with the excruciating side effects of chemo.

It worked. The entire experience changed my life. It opened my mind to a new way of thinking about my body, my health and the future.

This herb, this weed that is so strong it grows wild by the side of the road, has always been with us. In ancient times it was highly regarded and has even been found in tombs. It has even been put forth from some biblical scholars that Jesus may have used cannabis oil to heal.

Now, this herb, marijuana, is at center of a debate within our society….

More: http://www.wptv.com//dpp/entertainment/melissa-etheridge-pot-changed-my-life-singer-advocates-legalization-of-marijuana