Each year, about 240,000 women in the United States are diagnosed with breast cancer. In July 2003, I became part of this statistic after receiving the diagnosis of triple-negative invasive ductal carcinoma.
With October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I have been reflecting on my battle with cancer and how I made it through to the other side as a survivor. It was the support from my family and friends who continuously lifted me up, my medical team who made sure I received the best possible treatment and drawing from my own personal well of strength to do what was best for me.
One of the most difficult components of my cancer battle was dealing with the symptoms of the disease and the side effects of the treatments. Following my 2003 diagnosis, I had undergone six months of chemotherapy and one month of radiation before going into remission. Then, in January of 2010, I received a diagnosis of recurrent breast carcinoma, which led to another six months of chemotherapy and a bilateral mastectomy.
While undergoing treatment both times, I made the decision to give cannabis a try to ease some of the symptoms. During my battle, I experienced a lot of anxiety and pain. I was nauseous, eating was hard and sleep didn’t come easy. Cannabis helped me to combat all of this.
I was grateful that I was able to use cannabis through my battle. While it didn’t remove every symptom, it lessened many of them. Since I was already taking several other prescription medications, it was important to me to have the option to take something more natural to ease multiple symptoms, so I didn’t have to rely on as many medications.
During this time, my twin sister, Stacy, was facing a battle of her own. In 2010, after my cancer came back, Stacy made the difficult decision to become a pre-vivor. She had tested positive for the BCRA gene mutation, which increases the risk for breast and ovarian cancer. She had surgery to remove her breasts and ovaries to lower her risk of cancer developing.
Today, we are both cancer free.
Stacy now works at a licensed medical cannabis dispensary, Surterra Wellness. This month, Surterra will be participating in and fundraising for a Susan G. Komen Walk in my and Stacy’s honor, as well as others who are currently in the battle. It fills me with joy and pride to see Surterra walk for us, especially considering how cannabis helped me through the most difficult challenges in my life.
Now that adult-use marijuana is on the ballot this November, I think about how safely expanding access to marijuana could benefit others in similar positions, as well as those experiencing other battles or those who simply want the freedom to access cannabis safely.
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While Florida already has a strong medical marijuana program, there are still barriers to entry for many seeking to obtain a medical card, especially if you don’t have the resources and time to travel to yet another doctor’s visit or the money to apply for the medical card.
No matter your background, whether or not you’re facing a battle of your own, Floridians deserve the freedom to access safe, quality legal cannabis. Cannabis helped me through my darkest hours in immeasurable ways. I know it can do the same for others.
Stephanie Gensler lives in Apollo Beach and is a two-time breast cancer survivor.
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Cannabis helped me in my battle against breast cancer. It can help other Floridians | Column – Tampa Bay Times
