A randomized clinical trial reports that topical marijuana-derived balms containing either THC or CBD can help reduce joint pain and stiffness experienced by breast cancer patients taking aromatase inhibitors, a common and often difficult side effect of hormone therapy.
The study was published by the peer-reviewed journal Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research and conducted by researchers from the University of Minnesota and the University of Arizona College of Medicine. Aromatase inhibitors are widely prescribed to postmenopausal women with hormone receptor–positive breast cancer, but nearly two-thirds of patients experience musculoskeletal symptoms that can interfere with daily functioning and lead some to stop treatment early.
Researchers enrolled women with stage 1 to 3 breast cancer who were experiencing aromatase inhibitor–induced musculoskeletal syndrome, or AIMSS. Participants were randomly assigned to use either a cannabidiol balm or a delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol balm, applied to the hands three times daily for two weeks. This was followed by an optional two-week extension in which participants could choose which balm to continue using.
A total of 21 women completed the study. The average participant was 54 years old, and nearly half reported no prior lifetime marijuana use. Adherence was strong, with most participants completing weekly surveys and more than 70% opting to continue treatment beyond the initial two weeks.
By week two, 86% of participants reported improvement in hand-related pain and function scores. A greater share of those using the THC balm reported improvements of more than 50% compared to those using the CBD balm. Side effects were minimal, with mild skin irritation reported by some participants and only one discontinuation due to the balm’s texture.
Researchers concluded that running randomized trials of topical marijuana products through state-licensed dispensaries is feasible and well tolerated. They emphasized that larger, placebo-controlled studies are needed to determine whether these balms meaningfully reduce AIMSS severity in breast cancer survivors.
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