Daily marijuana use linked to increased risk of deadly head and neck cancers
A study found daily marijuana use increases head and neck cancer risk three to five times, especially in those with cannabis use disorder, highlighting the need for awareness and further research.
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A recent study has found that daily marijuana use may significantly increase the risk of developing head and neck cancers, with users being three to five times more likely to be diagnosed compared to non-users. The research, which analyzed millions of medical records, highlighted that individuals with cannabis use disorder are particularly at risk. The study's senior author, Dr. Niels Kokot, noted that while the research did not differentiate between consumption methods, the association is likely linked to smoking cannabis. The findings indicated that those with cannabis use disorder were 2.5 times more likely to develop oral cancer, nearly five times more likely for oropharyngeal cancer, and over eight times more likely for laryngeal cancer. The study utilized a large dataset, enhancing the reliability of its conclusions. Experts emphasize that smoking marijuana, similar to tobacco, raises the risk of these cancers due to the inhalation of smoke. Additionally, the study suggests that as marijuana becomes more legalized and socially accepted, there may be a corresponding rise in head and neck cancer cases. The authors call for increased awareness of the potential risks associated with cannabis use and further research into its long-term effects on cancer development.
- Daily marijuana use is linked to a three to five-fold increase in head and neck cancer risk.
- Cannabis use disorder significantly raises the likelihood of developing various types of head and neck cancers.
- The study analyzed a large dataset of medical records, enhancing the validity of its findings.
- Smoking marijuana poses similar cancer risks as smoking tobacco.
- Increased legalization and acceptance of marijuana may lead to higher cancer diagnosis rates.
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14 commentsEdit just to clarify: I'm generally in favor of legalization and I don't believe in restricting responsible use by adults. I've just noticed really strong reactions to this kind of discussion.
> “While our study did not differentiate between methods of cannabis consumption, cannabis is most commonly consumed by smoking,” Kokot said in an email. “The association we found likely pertains mainly to smoked cannabis.”
Probably could be significantly reduced by vaping, and brought to zero by edibles.
Metastasizes, not metabolizes [0]. Shoddy "science" "journalism" like this is why I often just immediately click through to the actual study instead of trusting a journalist to adequately summarize it [1].
[0] https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/oralcav.html
[1] https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaotolaryngology/fullarti...
Sure, smoke a little pot here and there get high whatever.
Smoke a ton of it and now you are getting harmful physical and mental effects.
Same with alcohol, food, sugary stuff even heavier drugs too.
There seems to be alot of people who the moment any harmful effects are identified in anything say "ban it! criminalize it!".
Luckily some LA times investigation spurred regulators to start caring a little bit.
I’m sure the smoke from weed itself isn’t great with regular exposure, but add partially combusted illegal pesticides and it sure sounds like a cancer soup. And black market weed has got to be even worse.
“While our study did not differentiate between methods of cannabis consumption, cannabis is most commonly consumed by smoking,” Kokot said in an email. “The association we found likely pertains mainly to smoked cannabis.”
That was kind of a “no shit, Sherlock” moment for me.
Why even conduct this study if there is no control for smoke vs edibles? This makes the entire study, effectively, useless.
I promise I’m not a weed apologist, by any means, just a casual user when I catch up with old friends. I actually want to know the answer to this question.
I veerrrrry rarely smoke. I’ve always hated it. I’ve smoked it maybe 10-15 times in my entire life, but I’ve eaten plenty of weed gummies. Them shits is delicious too. All it takes is one each for me and my friends, and we have a hell of a time talking shop about our various professions. Yet a couple of these comments still repeat the same tired argument that only stupid lazy people use it. Not saying you’re a racist, but you’re using the arguments racists used to lock up and murder tons of minorities, soooooo maybe you’re just sadly propagandized. It happens. Do better though, now that you know.
The people in the room, by the way: audio engineer, software engineer, head of logistics, car-t cell therapy something something, I forget.
Hell Feinman smoked weed.
People really need to get better about getting over their stubborn need to believe the propaganda they fell for.
Everyone falls for propaganda at some point. Figure out a process for yourself to undo the damage, once you realize you’ve been had. I really don’t understand why some folks just need to hold onto a hyper specific position that contradicts all evidence to the contrary.
So yeah if you inhale smoke that can cause cancers. Sure seems like a hit piece when you bury this sort of information.
So from almost zero percent to still almost zero percent.
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