Best CBD Product For Skin Cancer: Benefits & Treatment In 2024

Few words are scarier than “cancer,” especially if your doctor is the one daying it. Even scarier than the word itself is that over 1.8 million people are diagnosed with this deadly disease in the United States each year and an estimated 600,000 people die from it annually. 

Cancer can affect many different parts of the body, but skin cancer is one of the most common forms. The two most common types of skin cancer are basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma. Melanoma, a less common form of skin cancer, is more dangerous than either and has doubled in incidence over the past two decades. 

Skin cancer develops most frequently on skin exposed to the sun which is why UV protection is so important. Treatment varies by type and severity, and certain natural remedies like CBD oil have shown potential therapeutic benefits for symptom management.

In this article, we’ll explore the subject of skin cancer and the potential benefits of CBD oil as a treatment option. You’ll also see our top picks for the best CBD oil for skin cancer. 

Best CBD Product For Skin Cancer In 2024

What Is Skin Cancer?

The National Cancer Institute describes cancer as a collection of related diseases in which the body’s cells begin to divide abnormally and spread into the surrounding tissue. The human body is made up of trillions of cells which are constantly growing and dividing to form new cells as needed. When cells become damaged or old, they die off so new ones can take their place. Cancer changes this process.

When cancer develops, the normal process of cell division and cell death breaks down. Abnormal cells form, old or damaged cells survive when they shouldn’t, and new cells form unnecessarily. Those extra cells can divide rapidly, forming a growth called a tumor.

The primary difference between normal and cancer cells is the rate at which they grow and divide. Cancer cells are less specialized than normal cells, but they can still influence the healthy cells, molecules, and blood vessels in the surrounding area – the tumor microenvironment.^[2] 

Skin cancer is simply the abnormal growth of skin cells. It happens most often on skin that has been exposed to the sun, but can also occur in other areas. There are three main types. 

Types Of Skin Cancer

Generally speaking, skin cancers are divided into two categories: melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers. Skin cancer tends to start in the outer layer of the skin where it is visible to the naked eye, making early diagnosis a little easier than other forms of cancer.

Here’s an overview of the most common forms of skin cancer: 

• Basal cell carcinoma 
• Squamous cell carcinoma 
• Merkel cell cancer
• Melanoma 

The first two of these are less aggressive than the final two. Basal cells are round cells found in the lower epidermis of the skin – these are the cells involved in 80% of skin cancer cases. Squamous cells are flat, scale-like cells that make up most of the epidermis. About 20% of skin cancers develop from squamous cells, particularly in areas of high sun exposure. Basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma are sometimes referred to as keratinocyte carcinomas^[3] or non-melanoma skin cancer. 

Merkel cell cancer is a rare, highly aggressive, and fast-growing form of skin cancer. It develops in the hormone-producing cells found just beneath the skin, typically on the head and neck area. It is also known as neuroendocrine carcinoma of the skin.

Melanoma affects the pigment-producing cells in the skin called melanocytes and it is the most serious form of skin cancer. Other rare skin cancers include lymphomas, Karposi sarcoma, and skin adnexal tumors. 

How Is Skin Cancer Usually Treated?

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States and it has become a major public health concern. As such, it has been the subject of a great deal of research which has led to the development of numerous modern treatments. Even with these modern developments, however, the average cost of treatment for cancer patients exceeds $8 billion each year.^[4] 

Here are some of the most common options for treatment: 

• Excisional surgery 
• Mohs surgery 
• Cryotherapy 
• Curettage 
• Radiation therapy 
• Chemotherapy 
• Photodynamic therapy 

Though many modern cancer treatments are effective, they can be expensive and, in some cases, dangerous. The authors of a 2018 review published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences suggest phytochemicals may be the next breakthrough^[5] in safe, effective, and affordable cancer therapies. Phytochemicals are simply biologically active compounds derived from plants. 

Many phytochemicals exert anticarcinogenic effects due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-angiogenic, and anti-proliferative properties. Cannabinoids are a group of phytochemicals that have shown promising results for cancer patients.

Cannabis Skin Cancer Treatment 

Cannabinoids are naturally occurring compounds derived from the cannabis plant. Cannabidiol (CBD)^[6] is the cannabinoid most highly concentrated in the Cannabis sativa (hemp) variety while tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is more highly concentrated in Cannabis indica (marijuana). Both have shown therapeutic potential for cancer. 

The thing to remember about cannabis, particularly in the treatment of cancer, is that there is a big difference between CBD and THC. While cannabidiol is non-psychoactive, THC can produce a high along with unwanted effects like euphoria or sedation. CBD is legal in the United States^[7] as long as it contains less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol but you may need a prescription if you want to try medical cannabis, depending on what state you live in.

When it comes to cannabis for skin cancer, there are many types to consider. Medical cannabis (or medical marijuana) is typically inhaled, though you can find edible forms as well. cannabidiol comes in oil tinctures, topical products, edibles, and vape juice. The form you choose may depend on the symptoms you’re trying to address. CBD oil is always a good place to start because you can control the dosage and scale it as needed. 

What Does CBD Oil Do?

Cannabis has long been used as a natural remedy for various conditions but because it has long been restricted, clinical research is limited. Over the past decade, however, numerous studies have led to important discoveries about cannabinoids like CBD and THC as well as their impact on the human body. 

The therapeutic effects of cannabinoids have largely been attributed to their impact on the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the human body. The endocannabinoid system is a complex cell signaling system that plays a role in regulating important bodily functions and in maintaining biological homeostasis. By acting on various cannabinoid receptors in the ECS, cannabidiol offers anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic,^[8] and anxiolytic^[9] benefits. 

Though more research is needed, some studies have shown cannabis oil to provide various anticancer benefits. According to a review of CBD as an anticancer drug,^[10] it has been shown to “successfully induce cell death, inhibit cell migration and invasion in vitro, decrease tumor size, vascularization, growth, and weight, and increase survival and induce tumor regression.” 

This particular quote relates to the use of cannabidiol for glioma, a type of malignant brain cancer, but similar effects have been observed in cases of lung, colorectal, prostate cancer, and lymphoma. Though the effects of CBD on other types of cancer are less well-researched, smaller studies have shown promising results. 

How To Use CBD Oil For Skin Cancer 

Cannabis oil is by no means a proven treatment for any form of cancer, but numerous studies have demonstrated its potential anti-cancer benefits. In a 2018 review^[11]  published in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences, CBD was shown to decelerate tumor progression in breast cancer patients. In one 2015 study, treatment with THC resulted in autophagy-dependent apoptosis in melanoma. Besides, it helped encourage the death of melanoma cells. 

Clinical trials and scientific studies regarding the use of CBD oil for skin cancer are limited. Regardless of any benefit in treating skin cancer itself, cancer patients may benefit from the anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving benefits of cannabidiol oil. 

When shopping for CBD oil, it’s important to search for a company that uses high-quality hemp-derived cannabis oil. A third-party lab should test CBD products for purity and potency, and you should check for added ingredients as well. There is no standard dosage for cannabidiol products, so follow your doctor’s advice. Dosing guidelines vary depending on the concentration of the product you choose, so refer to the instructions on the package as well. 

Side Effects Of Cancer Treatment

Though CBD may not be a cure for skin cancer, it may help with pain and inflammation. Studies also show that CBD may help relieve side effects related to conventional treatment. In one study,^[12] patients taking CBD experienced a reduction in chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting. In another, a THC: CBD extract helped relieve intractable cancer-related pain.^[13] Before taking CBD, it’s important to talk to your doctor. Though cannabidiol is generally recognized as safe, it has the potential to interact with certain medications. Talk to your doctor about the right starting dose and follow up as you start noticing the effects of the treatment so you can make adjustments as needed. It may take some trial and error to find the right dose.
Be aware that CBD has the potential to cause side effects^[14] of its own as

Frequently Asked Questions

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