Abstract
BACKGROUND: Medical effects of cannabis have been known since ancient times. In oncology, hemp is primarily used to suppress nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy.
Treatment by cannabis isn´t legal in the Czech Republic as well as it already is in several countries. Yet, there are some cancer patients who self-medicate by hemp themselves.
AIMS: The aim of research is to describe the problem of cannabis self-medication from the perspective of cancer patients. The research areas are focused on the motivation for the use, procuring cannabis and possible complications, method of cannabis use, and attitude towards future use of cannabis.
METHODS: an open exploratory research, qualitative probe, data creating through semi-structured interviews. SAMPLE: nomination by simply purposive sampling, two men with a cancer diagnosis with cannabis self-medication at the age of 24 and 35 years.
RESULTS: The motivation for self-medication of was appetite removal and mild depression relieve, which was achieved. In most they grow hemp for their own use and buy from trusted sources occasionally, in this context are not afraid of problems with the law.
One of the participants used cannabis in several ways, second only by smoking joints. While one of the participants is already trying to limit the use of cannabis and to seek alternative treatments, the second has no plans to stop its use.
CONCLUSIONS: This work provides evidence of self-medication by cannabis directly from cancer patients.