Does stigma stem from a lack of knowledge? In this episode, Stacy and Steph talk about stigma in the healthcare system. Stigma is not helpful to your health or to your recovery. Stigma exists in the cancer world, especially breast cancer when it comes to “body stigma”. 

What is health? How do cancer patients come to terms with the decisions that affect their health as a result of their diagnosis? 

Patient-centered care results in less stigma. Considering the individual, their experiences and goals are important in treatment planning. Involving the patient in some of the decision making allows them to eventually find comfort in their body, leading to acceptance of self and acceptance of the decisions that they helped to make. 

We have seen improvements over the years with breast cancer treatments based on new research. The same can be said for cannabis. Conversations and treatment options change as new research emerges. This helps to decrease cannabis stigma. 

How can we reduce suffering? What empowers the patient? What role does mindset, support, and connection with others play when it comes to stigma?

Links to stigma studies: 

HIV/AIDS and Stigma: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27412106/ 

Addiction: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23490450/ 

Lung Cancer: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29981926/ 

Cancer and depression: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6927157/ 

Other studies about stigma: 

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?term=stigma+is+not+helpful+for+health&filter=simsearch1.fha&filter=datesearch.y_10         

Steph and I welcome our listeners to reach out to us directly. We are here to help and support you on your cannabis health journey. You can reach us at:

Website:  A Tincture of Time Podcast

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aTinctureOfTime.podcast

Instagram: atinctureoftime.podcast

Steph's Instagram: thatcannabislady

Stacy's Instagram: cannadent.ca

Email: [email protected]

We want to spend some time with you, our listeners, via live Zoom stream or IN PERSON in Durham Region, Ontario, Canada. Join us on Patreon as A TOT Podcast for our brand new Community group called The Green Heart Club: Women, Weed, and Wellness. The Green Heart Club is a safe and supportive community for women and those who identify as women. We discuss cannabis education, share personal experiences, and meet like-minded people enjoying the benefits of cannabis as medicine. Discuss, share, meet - for less than the cost of one cannabis-infused beverage per month! You'll get access to more educational content and time with us! Check out:  https://www.patreon.com/ATinctureofTime 

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Music composed and performed by Dave Bobak.

Stacy and Steph share their story of accessing medical cannabis as breast cancer patients. As co-founders of EduCanNation, a Canadian nonprofit organization that provides evidence-based cannabis education and supports certified cannabis educators, Steph and Stacy share the knowledge they have learned as certified cannabis educators to help advocate for the patient and the plant.  Their stories of staying positive and hopeful despite the hardship of a breast cancer diagnosis, helps to remind us that we are always stronger than we think we are.

*The information contained in this podcast is for educational purposes only, it is not medical advice. We are certified cannabis educators, we are not medical doctors. Steph and I recommend that you speak directly to a medical cannabis educator or a medical healthcare practitioner who is trained in cannabis medicine prior to experimenting with cannabis for medicinal purposes. The topics and statements discussed are based on our research and experience and have not been evaluated by any regulatory body.