Pubdate: Mon, 30 Jan 2012
Source: Ha'aretz (Israel)
Copyright: 2012sHa'aretz Daily Newspaper Ltd.
Contact:  http://www.haaretz.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/807
Author: Dan Even

ISRAELI RESEARCHERS SAY MORE DOCTORS SHOULD RECOMMEND MARIJUANA TO 
CANCER PATIENTS

Most cancer patients currently being treated with medical marijuana 
are advised of the option only in the advanced stages of the illness, 
according to researchers.

More than two-thirds of cancer patients who were prescribed medical 
marijuana to combat pain are reportedly satisfied with the treatment, 
according to a comprehensive study conducted for the first time in Israel.

The study - conducted recently at Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer, 
in conjunction with the Israel Cancer Association - involved 264 
cancer patients who were treated with medical marijuana for a full year.

Some 61 percent of the respondents reported a significant improvement 
in their quality of life as a result of the medical marijuana, while 
56 percent noted an improvement in their ability to manage pain. In 
general, 67 percent were in favor of the treatment, while 65 percent 
said they would recommend it to other patients.

The findings were presented earlier this month at an Israeli 
Oncologists Union conference in Eilat. The study was led by Dr. Ido 
Wolf, the director of oncology at the Sheba Cancer Center, with the 
assistance of researchers Yasmin Leshem, Damien Urbach, Adato Berliz, 
Tamar Ben Ephraim and Meital Gerty.

According to the study, the most common types of cancer for which 
medical marijuana is prescribed are lung cancer (21 percent ), breast 
cancer (12 percent ) and pancreatic cancer (10 percent ).

Researchers found that an average of 325 days passed between the time 
that patients were diagnosed with cancer and the time that they 
submitted permit requests to grow or possess medical marijuana. About 
81 percent of those requests cited pain resulting from the illness. 
Some 8 percent of patients requested medical marijuana to combat 
nausea, while another 8 percent complained of weakness.

Most cancer patients who are currently being treated with medical 
marijuana are advised of the option only in the advanced stages of 
the illness, according to researchers. "The treatment should be 
offered to the patients in earlier stages of cancer," the report notes.

The study shows that 39 percent of respondents were initially advised 
of the treatment by friends, other patients or the media, rather than 
by their doctors. According to the study, "The treatment should be 
offered to patients by trained medical teams because we are dealing 
with an effective treatment."

Side effects resulting from the regular use of medical marijuana were 
defined in the study as "moderate." Dizziness was the main side 
effect documented by the researchers.

According to Miri Ziv, the director of the Israel Cancer Association, 
"Medical marijuana has become one of the treatments available to 
cancer patients in Israel in recent years [and therefore] the 
association believes that the issue should be regulated by the 
professionals in the field."

In recent years, the number of medical marijuana users in Israel has 
increased by some 66 percent per year, according to the study. To 
date, medical marijuana has been approved for use by about 6,000 
Israelis suffering from various illnesses, the report states.

While many legal issues related to medical marijuana use remain 
unresolved, Health Ministry officials believe that once the issue is 
fully regulated, the number of patients treated with medical 
marijuana will reach 40,000.

Of the 12 farms authorized to cultivate medical marijuana in Israel, 
at least seven are currently active, according to the report. Under 
directives from the Health Ministry, the distribution centers 
currently in operation are entitled to NIS 360 a month, per patient, 
to supply medical marijuana. They are entitled to another NIS 24 for 
rolling cigarettes and NIS 100 for delivery.

Patients who hold medical marijuana permits issued before 2009 are 
entitled to grow up to 10 plants at home, with a maximum height of 
1.5 meters. Permits issued during the past two years only allow 
patients to possess medical marijuana, in keeping with the quantities 
prescribed.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom