Researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine have found a link between high cannabis use and increased mortality in colon cancer patients. A study of over 1,000 patients with colon cancer found that those who used cannabis heavily were 24 times more likely to die within five years of diagnosis compared to those who did not.
The study controlled for age, sex, and disease severity but still showed a significant association between high cannabis use and poor outcomes. Lead author Raphael Cuomo notes that while some laboratory studies have shown anti-tumor effects from certain cannabis compounds, the real-world effects are more complex and warrant further investigation.
Cuomo also emphasizes that high cannabis use is often associated with depression, anxiety, and other challenges that can compromise a patient’s ability to engage fully with cancer treatment. The study encourages more research into how cannabis interacts with cancer biology and care, rather than vilifying or stigmatizing the use of cannabis.
The findings highlight the need for a nuanced understanding of the impacts of cannabis on medically vulnerable populations, such as those facing serious illnesses like colon cancer.
Source: https://today.ucsd.edu/story/high-cannabis-use-linked-to-increased-mortality-in-colon-cancer-patients