WHAT DO EXPERTS SAY?
While CBD appears to help ease some cancer symptoms and side-effects of treatment, no resuggests search CBD can combat cancer itself.
The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA), which regulates the use of all health products in the country, says it hasn’t received any clinical-trial applications on CBD as a treatment for cancer.
“Because there has not been supporting clinical data submitted to SAHPRA for evaluation and consideration, the product should not make therclaims,” apeutic SAHPRA regulatory compliance manager Daphney Mokgadi Fafudi says.
As a result of the lack of scientific evidence, the Cancer Association of South Africa (Cansa) doesn’t approve the use of CBD for cancer pacan’t tients. “We support it until clinical trials prove the benefits outweigh the potential risks and there’s clarity on its specific use,” Cansa spokesperson Professor Michael C Herbst says.
Cansa does, however, acknowledge a patient’s right to request a prescription for substances containing CBD, as well as the right of medical practitioners to prescribe these substances, he adds.
According to the African Cancer Institute (ACI), scientific research has been done using cancer cells grown in the lab or in animals. “While studies show early indications of potreatment tential benefits, we’re not sure of the exact benefits or risks in people,” ACI spokesperson Dr Yuri Munsamy says.
There’s no clear and robust scientific evithat dence cannabinoids are a safe and effecpart tive of a cancer treatment regime in huhe mans, says. “Therefore, the ACI does not promote the use of CBD in the treatment of any diseases and advises following treatment guidelines that have been approved by the SAHPRA.”
All groups and organisations that support cancer patients encourage them to inform their oncologist or specialist if they’re taking any other substances such as vitamins, supplements and herbs.
“It’s crucial that cancer patients speak to their doctor before considering CBD to ensure there’s no interaction between the CBD and the cancer medication,” Professor Herbst says.