Leigh Raaschou, a former junior lifesaver in Victoria, Australia, has shared his harrowing experience with skin cancer, serving as a poignant reminder of the importance of sun protection. Despite working outdoors without wearing a hat or sunscreen, Raaschou now bears the scars of over 100 skin cancer removals, with some estimates suggesting the number could be closer to 200. His ordeal includes the removal of part of his skull and subsequent complications, highlighting the severity of the consequences of prolonged sun exposure.

His story comes in the wake of groundbreaking Australian research that explores the potential effects of cannabis on melanoma cell growth. The study, conducted by researchers from Charles Darwin University and the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (RMIT), focused on the impact of a cannabis extract called cannabinoid PHEC-66 on melanoma cells. The findings suggest that the extract has the potential to impede cell growth and induce cell death, offering a glimmer of hope in the battle against this deadly form of skin cancer.

The concentrated form of the extract, predominantly containing CBD, demonstrated promising results in laboratory tests, hinting at the possibility of it serving as a supplementary therapy for treating malignant melanoma. This development is particularly significant considering the high fatality rate associated with melanoma, despite it being relatively rare compared to other forms of skin cancer.