October marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month, a time to honor the strength of survivors and acknowledge the challenges that come with treatment.
At Blue Oak Dispensary, we strive to amplify voices from our community who remind us why access, education, and compassion matter in cannabis care.
This month, we’re honored to share the story of breast cancer survivor Emily Fisher, CEO of Leafwell. Fisher found strength and relief in cannabis and now, through Leafwell, helps others explore it as part of their own healing.
Additionally, in October 2025, a portion of every purchase made at Blue Oak will go directly toward AAngelsNJ, a New Jersey-based nonprofit founded by breast cancer survivor Angelina Killane-Sims.
The organization provides breast health education, cancer awareness, and direct support services within and beyond Essex and Union Counties.
Its mission is to help patients and families navigate diagnosis, treatment, and recovery. At Blue Oak, we’re proud to support this mission.
How widespread is the use of cannabis during breast cancer treatment?
Surveys show that cannabis is frequently consumed among breast cancer patients — often to manage the physical and emotional toll of treatment.
In one study, 42% of respondents reported consuming cannabis to relieve breast cancer symptoms or side effects, with 79% using it during active treatment such as chemotherapy, radiation, or surgery.
Why are patients turning to cannabis? A broader review indicates that 8% to over 40% of cancer patients and survivors consume cannabis to help manage symptoms or side effects.
Early findings show a favorable safety profile and patient-reported benefits for pain, nausea, poor appetite, anxiety, and sleep issues.
These numbers underscore a growing interest in, and reliance on, cannabis not as a cure (which it’s not), but as a tool for managing life during and after breast cancer treatment.
Facing breast cancer
Fisher was first diagnosed with breast cancer in 2011 at age 26.
She underwent a lumpectomy and radiotherapy, but her recovery was complicated, requiring multiple reconstructive surgeries and strong pain medications over several years.
“I felt unsure about how to talk about my diagnosis at first,” she recalled. “It took time before I felt comfortable sharing it, and maybe that’s why I’m so open now — because someone else might be feeling the same fear or uncertainty.”
In 2024, Fisher received a second diagnosis: stage four breast cancer.
She is currently undergoing treatment, including medically induced menopause and oral chemotherapy.
“Even though this experience is difficult, it reminds me why the work we’re doing in medical cannabis is so important,” she said.
Finding relief and guidance through cannabis
Fisher first turned to cannabis during a hospital stay, when traditional pain medications just weren’t cutting it.
“It felt like someone had turned down the volume on my pain,” she said, describing the sense of relief.
Not every experience was smooth, though. A time when she took too much THC left her feeling sick – an important lesson in why dosing and good guidance matter.
For many patients, the bigger challenge goes beyond products or dosing. It’s knowing how to even bring up cannabis with their doctors. Some worry the idea won’t be taken seriously.
But as Fisher points out, “talking to a medical professional is the most comforting way to start exploring cannabis as medicine.”
And today, increasingly more providers are open to having those conversations and looking at cannabis as part of whole-person care.
These experiences inspired Fisher to start Leafwell. The goal: give patients trusted resources, support, and a safe place to learn about cannabis in the context of their health.
Through Leafwell, she hopes people feel more confident in their care and more able to explore how cannabis might fit into their healing journey.
Cannabis and symptom management
Fisher uses cannabis to manage multiple symptoms — pain, anxiety, sleep disruption, nausea, and appetite loss — arising from both cancer itself and treatment side effects.
Pain
Pain is one of the most common and challenging side effects of breast cancer treatment, whether from surgery, chemotherapy, or radiation.
Fisher first turned to cannabis to manage post-surgical pain and reduce her reliance on strong opioids, which often came with difficult side effects.
“I used cannabis to recover from these operations, and honestly, since then, I’ve used it for many other things as well,” she notes, showing how cannabis has become an integral part of her recovery and ongoing care.
Anxiety
The emotional toll of cancer is significant. Cannabis may support relaxation and reduce anxiety levels, so it may help patients cope with the stress of diagnosis and treatment.
“People are experiencing more than just one symptom,” Fisher shared. “If they’re suffering from chronic pain, it’s probably also impacting their mood.
Sleep disruptions
Treatment side effects and the stress of navigating cancer can make restorative sleep hard to come by.
Cannabis may help promote sleep, supporting both physical healing and emotional balance.
Nausea, vomiting, and loss of appetite
Chemotherapy and other treatments can cause persistent nausea and vomiting, which can significantly impact comfort and quality of life.
Cannabis is widely found to help manage these symptoms, making treatment experiences more manageable.
It may also stimulate appetite, a phenomenon commonly known as getting “the munchies,” during periods of treatment-related weight loss or fatigue.
Choosing the right cannabis products
Cannabis contains hundreds of compounds, each of which affects the body differently. THC and CBD are the most well-known.
THC is often associated with easing pain and nausea, and many patients find that it also stimulates appetite and supports better sleep.
CBD is commonly linked with reducing anxiety and inflammation, and some patients report that it contributes to an overall sense of wellness.
Fisher shared how she personally navigated this.
“It’s an uncharted path,” she said. “Some products work, some don’t. You have to try different products and see how your body responds. I always preferred tinctures – they’re easier to dose than edibles, and I don’t like smoking anything.”
She also stressed that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach.
“If someone is new to cannabis and may be on existing medications, speaking to a clinician who knows your history is the best first step,” she emphasized. “There are providers out there who are open-minded and knowledgeable, and they can help guide your use.”
Tips for consuming cannabis during breast cancer treatment
For patients exploring cannabis, Fisher offered the following practical guidance.
- Start low and go slow. Begin with a small dose and increase gradually, allowing your body to respond and helping you avoid unwanted side effects. Our guide to trying cannabis for the first time can help you get started.
- Understand when you’ll feel effects. Different methods of consumption have different onset times and last for varying periods, so it’s important to know what to expect.
- Choose a consumption method that works for you. Everyone’s preferences and tolerances are different. Tinctures, vaporizers, or edibles can all be effective, so find the method that fits your lifestyle and comfort level.
- Listen to your body. Cannabis affects everyone differently, so pay attention to how your body responds, and adjust your use accordingly.
- Integrate cannabis into holistic care. Combine cannabis use with nutrition, stress management, and conventional treatments to create a well-rounded, supportive approach to your health and healing.
“As a patient, I’ve learned that you deserve every tool you can have to support healing,” Fisher said. “Cannabis is one piece of that, and approaching health holistically has empowered me through treatment.”
Finding your path to comfort and healing
Fisher’s story shows how cannabis can play a meaningful role in easing the challenges of breast cancer treatment, from managing pain and nausea to supporting rest and peace of mind.
Every journey looks different, but her experience is a reminder of why guidance, exploration, and holistic care are vital.
“There’s a world of options out there for patients,” Fisher said. “If you approach health in a holistic way — physically, mentally, spiritually — you can empower yourself through this journey.”
At Blue Oak, we seek to create a supportive space.
Our high-quality, widely trusted products and compassionate guidance help patients discover what works best for them.
As part of our focus on compassion and care, we’re donating a percentage of all October sales to AAngelsNJ to help expand its reach and continue providing vital services.
Together, we can celebrate survivors, support those in treatment, and invest in a community of care.
