Preta Gil seeks cancer treatment abroad; understand the role of cannabis in oncology
In an interview with Fantástico, the singer shared details about the surgical procedure and aggressive treatment to combat cancer
The singer Preta Gil recently announced that she will leave Brazil to seek experimental cancer treatment abroad during her appearance on the show "Domingão com Huck" last Sunday (30) on Rede Globo.
After undergoing intense surgeries and chemotherapy, the artist is now looking for new alternatives for her recovery, highlighting the challenges that millions of cancer patients face daily.
"I am entering a difficult phase. In Brazil, we have done everything we could, now my chance of healing is abroad, and that is where I will go. I know I am a privileged woman, but if I have the means to go abroad, I will," the artist told Revista Quem.
Preta expressed optimism about the future, wishing to return to Brazil healed and resume her activities. "I want to come back here, healed, and be able to resume everything I love to do, like coming here to sing, being a judge, playing with my granddaughter, with my nephews, and of course, seeing my son, seeing this incredible being that he is. I have so much more to accomplish in this life, so I refuse to accept that it’s over for me now. I believe I still have a long way to go," she said in the interview.
Preta Gil revealed in an interview with Fantástico that she is undergoing experimental treatment in New York. Last December, the singer underwent a 21-hour surgery, during which part of her digestive tract and lymphatic system was removed, along with six tumors. She also had a peritonectomy and intraperitoneal chemotherapy.
According to oncologist Patrícia Maira Torres Costa, the surgical procedure was extremely aggressive. "It is a difficult surgery, performed only on selected patients, like Preta Gil, who have the appropriate physical and financial conditions. The treatment is highly toxic and can cause malnutrition, requiring the patient to be very prepared to endure it," she explained to Quem.
Cannabis as an ally in oncological treatment
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), 20 million patients worldwide live with a cancer diagnosis, facing physical, emotional, and social challenges associated with the disease. Amid this complex scenario, cannabis emerges as a potential ally in oncological treatment.
A study published in the scientific journal Cancer Research, a team of scientists delved deep into this relationship, seeking to unravel the mysteries behind this connection.
Scientific discoveries about cannabis and cancer
The researchers examined data from a wide variety of sources, from clinical studies to patient reports, to understand how the active compounds in cannabis, especially THC and CBD, interact with cancer cells and the symptoms associated with cancer treatment. Surprisingly, their findings suggest that cannabis may offer a range of significant benefits for cancer patients.
One of the most striking conclusions of the study was cannabis's ability to alleviate the debilitating side effects of chemotherapy and radiation therapy, such as nausea, vomiting, pain, and loss of appetite. Additionally, the researchers observed promising evidence that certain compounds in the plant may inhibit the growth and spread of cancer cells in some types of cancer, thus offering a new therapeutic avenue to combat the disease.
The future of cannabis in oncology
However, scientists emphasize the need for more research to fully understand the underlying mechanisms and determine the best practices for using cannabis in the context of cancer treatment. Issues such as dosage, patient genetic profile, and interactions with other medications remain crucial areas of investigation.
In light of this scenario, cannabis has been widely debated as a potential complementary resource in oncological treatment. Many patients report significant improvements in quality of life when using medicinal cannabis to manage chronic pain and minimize the side effects of conventional therapies.