Can Cannabis Treat Skin Cancer?
PART 1 – Squamous Cell Carcinoma
When you hear the word skin cancer most people react with fear and consternation, even dread. There has been considerable media attention centered on this subject. But there are different types of skin cancers only one of which is highly invasive and considered deadly.
In this series I will discuss the three main types of skin cancers. I’ll start today’s article on SCC. Then we will examine the applications of cannabis preparations in the treatment of said cancers.
Dear reader, there are apparent cures to be found in using cannabis oil to treat the most common skin cancers. However, the information is anecdotal only. There is very little research and no clinical trials that have examined the possible cures from cannabis oil (CO) for these conditions.
THE MAIN TYPES OF SKIN CANCER
Although there are dozens of subtypes we can broadly list skin cancer under three distinct cell types.
– Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
– Basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
– Malignant melanoma (MM)
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a common cancer arising from malignant proliferation of epidermal keratinocytes. The likelihood of developing SCC is dependent upon exposure to risk factors (most importantly ultraviolet light) and patient-specific characteristics, such as age, skin type, and ethnicity.
Incidence — Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common type of skin cancer in the United States, behind basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and accounts for approximately 20 percent of nonmelanoma skin cancers.
A 2013 metaanalysis estimated the number of new SCC cases… in the United States white population in 2012 to be between 186,000 and 419,000.[ref](http://www.uptodate.com/contents/epidemiology-and-risk-factors-for-cutaneous-squamous-cell-carcinoma) 06/06/2015[/ref]
Perhaps the most reported case of SCC being cured with CO is the Michael McShane story which is well documented in the lay literature on the Cure Your Own Cancer website.
There are other “stories” one involving a case of highly advanced and invasive SCC refractory to conventional treatments of radiation (see below). In both of these cases CO cured them in about three months of daily applications. The information is presented on the Cannabis Science website. I was not able to find any before and after photos that are supposedly on the site. Here’s the details of this amazing case:
Cannabis Science, Inc. a pioneering U.S. biotech company developing pharmaceutical cannabis (marijuana) products, is pleased to provide new photographs of the existing treatment for patient three who has a “worst case” of treatment resistant, Squamous Cell Carcinoma. Cannabis Science has received positive feedback from both the patient and his Oncologist. These photos show the progressive reduction of the tumor masses that has occurred within the months of treatment.
Oncologists have stated that this is the worst case of squamous cell carcinoma, and last week, the patient’s oncologist said the results from the topical cannabis extract are “astonishing.” So instead of needing any surgery this month he is to go back and see the oncologist in June. The patient’s wife, who could not even look at her husband’s head months ago, has stated that it looks as if 75% of the tumors masses are gone.
Since Cannabis Science has been working with this patient extensively, Dr. Robert Melamede has provided lots of support and expert scientific advice during the treatment process. Patient three came to Cannabis Science with hope to find a treatment that would work. Due to his extremely severe case of squamous cell carcinoma, his surgeon wanted to remove his scalp and a good portion of his skull. Instead he opted for 135 radiation treatments, but the remaining tumors became radiation and chemotherapy resistant. Dr. Robert Melamede informs that, “Cannabis extracts have the unique ability to holistically improve health. They simultaneously modify numerous biochemical pathways to (sic) produces a healthy concerted action.”
In time we should begin to see scientific research supporting or refuting these astonishing cures.