Cancer-related pain can be caused by the cancer itself or as a side effect of treatment. It can be complex, and care often involves several approaches focused on improving comfort and quality of life.
The body’s endocannabinoid system (ECS) helps regulate processes such as pain and inflammation. Medical cannabis contains cannabinoids that interact with this system, which is why it may be considered for persistent, un-managed cancer pain.
Cancer-related pain develops for different reasons, depending on where the cancer is in the body and how it’s treated.
Pain from the cancer itself often happens when a tumour presses on nearby nerves, bones, or organs, or when it releases chemicals that irritate or inflame tissues.
Cancer treatments can also cause pain. Radiotherapy, which uses high-energy radiation to destroy cancer cells, may lead to temporary side effects such as skin soreness, inflammation, or stiffness in treated areas. Chemotherapy, which uses anti-cancer (cytotoxic) drugs to destroy rapidly dividing cells, can sometimes cause nerve damage (peripheral neuropathy), mouth ulcers, or muscle and joint pain.
Cancer pain can take several forms, depending on what’s causing it.
Nerve pain: This can occur when a tumour presses on nerves or causes nerve damage, or as a side effect of certain treatments such as chemotherapy. It’s often described as burning, tingling, or shooting pain.
Bone pain: When cancer spreads to the bones (bone metastases), it can cause pain that feels deep, aching, or tender. Bone pain is often more persistent and severe than muscle pain.
Soft-tissue pain: Also called visceral pain, this is pain that comes from internal organs or muscles. It’s usually felt as a deep ache, cramp, or pressure, depending on which part of the body is affected.
View our FAQ’s section and learn more about all the conditions that can be treatable with medical cannabis.
