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Journal of Education, Health and Sport

Harnessing Cannabis: Pain Management Strategies for Oncology Patients – A Narrative Review
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  • Harnessing Cannabis: Pain Management Strategies for Oncology Patients – A Narrative Review
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  3. Vol. 70 (2024) /
  4. Medical Sciences

Harnessing Cannabis: Pain Management Strategies for Oncology Patients – A Narrative Review

Authors

  • Cezary Kopczyński Samodzielny Publiczny Zespół Zakładów Opieki Zdrowotnej w Lipsku, Jędrzeja Sniadeckiego 2, 27-300 Lipsko https://orcid.org/0009-0005-2620-4874
  • Urszula Kopczyńska Powiatowe Centrum Medyczne w Grójcu, Piotra Skargi 10, 05-600 Grójec https://orcid.org/0009-0009-7443-5975
  • Piotr Malinowski Mazowiecki Szpital Bródnowski, Ludwika Kondratowicza 8, 03-242 Warszawa https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9835-6621
  • Piotr Sikorski Mazowiecki Szpital Bródnowski, Ludwika Kondratowicza 8, 03-242 Warszawa https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1629-2784
  • Kinga Gurdak Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warszawa https://orcid.org/0009-0009-1474-9630
  • Martyna Dydyk Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warszawa https://orcid.org/0009-0005-5906-3406
  • Martyna Dyrek Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warszawa https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6182-7835
  • Ewa Błaszczak Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warszawa https://orcid.org/0009-0003-5173-5285
  • Jakub Wójcik Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warszawa https://orcid.org/0009-0001-9732-9632
  • Aleksandra Partyka Medical University of Warsaw, Żwirki i Wigury 61, 02-091 Warszawa https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6583-1110

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12775/JEHS.2024.70.55562

Keywords

medical marijuana, medical cannabis, oncological pain, pain management

Abstract

Cancer-related pain represents a serious challenge in oncological care, often refractory to conventional analgesics and significantly impacting patients' quality of life. In recent years, medical marijuana (cannabis) has emerged as a potential adjunctive or alternative therapy for managing pain in oncological patients. This narrative review critically evaluates the existing literature on the efficacy, safety, and underlying mechanisms of action of medical marijuana in alleviating pain associated with cancer. Drawing upon a synthesis of preclinical and clinical studies, as well as meta-analyses and systematic reviews, this review provides insights into the scientific basis and clinical implications of utilizing medical marijuana in oncological pain management.

References

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Published

2024-10-23

How to Cite

1.
KOPCZYŃSKI, Cezary, KOPCZYŃSKA, Urszula, MALINOWSKI, Piotr, SIKORSKI, Piotr, GURDAK, Kinga, DYDYK, Martyna, DYREK, Martyna, BŁASZCZAK, Ewa, WÓJCIK, Jakub and PARTYKA, Aleksandra. Harnessing Cannabis: Pain Management Strategies for Oncology Patients – A Narrative Review. Journal of Education, Health and Sport. Online. 23 October 2024. Vol. 70, p. 55562. [Accessed 2 July 2025]. DOI 10.12775/JEHS.2024.70.55562.
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Issue

Vol. 70 (2024)

Section

Medical Sciences

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Copyright (c) 2024 Cezary Kopczyński, Urszula Kopczyńska, Piotr Malinowski, Piotr Sikorski, Kinga Gurdak, Martyna Dydyk, Martyna Dyrek, Ewa Błaszczak, Jakub Wójcik, Aleksandra Partyka

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

The periodical offers access to content in the Open Access system under the Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0

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