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Cannabis Oil Cancer Cure Claims — SCE Palliative Medicine MCQ

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ModerateCommunication & EthicsCannabis Oil Cancer Cure ClaimsSCE Palliative Medicine

A 75‑year‑old woman with advanced cancer tells her palliative care consultant that she has been advised by a complementary therapist that “cannabis oil will cure your cancer.” What is the consultant’s responsibility?

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Correct answer: D — Provide honest, evidence‑based information about the lack of evidence for cannabis oil as a cancer cure, while respecting her autonomy to make informed choices about complementary therapies

Explanation lettering: E = shown as B · B = shown as C · C = shown as D · D = shown as E

Option C is the only professionally appropriate choice. NICE guidance (NG144) endorses cannabis‑based medicinal products only for limited licensed indications (e.g., spasticity, nausea), and there is no evidence supporting a curative role in cancer, making claims to this effect misleading. Honest, evidence‑based communication is mandated by GMC obligations to respect patient autonomy and provide balanced information. Options A and B are unprofessional and paternalistic, B risks abandonment; D is legally inappropriate unless there is criminal activity; E is dishonest and undermines trust and evidence‑based care.

Reference: NICE guideline NG144 (2021) on cannabis-based medicinal products; GOSH medicines information on cannabinoid oil (2020)