Ease Cancer Symptoms Scientists are planning research to determine whether a marijuana patch similar to the patches that help smokers kick the habit could help ease the suffering of patients with cancer. The American Cancer Society is funding the three-year study, which is being conducted at the Albany College of Pharmacy. In addition to easing chemotherapy-related pain, nausea, and vomiting, the patch could provide an alternative to smoking marijuana for medical purposes, which has been approved in some states but remains controversial. However, advocates for the use of medical marijuana criticized the patch concept as a less effective alternative to smoking the drug, which is a faster method of getting the drug into the system and controlling nausea. Six states have offered ballot measures to legalize marijuana as medication, but the drug is banned by federal law and doctors are hesitant to prescribe it, even in states that legalized its medical use.
Research begins on 'marijuana patch' for cancer patients.
January 20, 2000. Investigators examined the effects of HRT on screening mammography sensitivity in 103,770 women aged 40 or older. The researchers say that the next step is to determine if some HRT formulations affect mammography results less than others. Kavanagh et al. Hormone replacement therapy and accuracy of mammographic screening.