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Study Links Cannabis to Testicular Cancer

THC may intercept cancer-fighting chemicals

By Ambreen Ali,  Newser User

Posted Feb 9, 2009 5:45 AM CST
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(Newser) – Cannabis use has been linked to a significant increase in the risk of developing testicular cancer, the Independent reports. Those who light up have a 70% higher risk of getting nonseminoma cancer—found in younger men—and the odds worsen with frequency and duration of use, the research has found. Some scientists dismiss the first-ever link between marijuana and the ailment, saying the study's sample size was too small.

Chronic use of the drug is known to reduce sperm quality and boost impotence, which has been previously linked to testicular cancer. The testes have THC receptors, and the study suggests cannabis mellows out a naturally produced anti-cancer chemical. Critics insist that testicular cancer—whose prevalence has doubled since 1979—affects only a tiny portion of the 3 million cannabis users.

The cancer risk increases with frequency and duration of use, researchers say.
The cancer risk increases with frequency and duration of use, researchers say.   (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Men may increase their testicular cancer risk by 70% by smoking cannabis, a new study suggests.
Men may increase their testicular cancer risk by 70% by smoking cannabis, a new study suggests.   (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
Critics of the study say the bulk of marijuana users remain healthy despite their drug habit.
Critics of the study say the bulk of marijuana users remain healthy despite their drug habit.   (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)
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Puberty is a window of opportunity during which lifestyle or environmental factors can increase the risk of testicular cancer. - Janet Daling, a member of the study team

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 12 comments
PosterNutbag
Feb 10, 2009 1:31 AM CST
Yeah, what have you heard? Young men?
Newser001
Feb 10, 2009 12:36 AM CST
You're right C... we all seek our own justifications or demons to vilify... Wasn't trying to be pompous, overt above. Just weighting... Thanks for the siting... it made me think.
Thinker
Feb 9, 2009 6:53 AM CST
The study suggests that the incidence of cancer MIGHT be connected to cannibis use but only among users who start to smoke before age of 18. And even then, the incidence is VERY LOW and the number of subjects tested was VERY FEW.

Relax, it's still just a hypothesis
Health

Joints 20 times worse than cigarettes
Reuters

Many see weed as cancer cure, not causer
Sky News

Family history also a factor
BBC

 
study • drug use • cannabis • testicular cancer • men's health

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