A recent study by researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine has found that individuals with cannabis use disorder (CUD) are more than three times more likely to develop oral cancer within five years compared to those without CUD. The study highlights the potential long-term health risks associated with problematic cannabis use.
According to the research, 17.7 million people reported daily or near-daily cannabis use in 2022, and as many as 3 in 10 cannabis users will develop CUD. While some consider cannabis safer than tobacco and alcohol, there are still unknowns about its health impacts, particularly how it influences cancer risk.
The study analyzed electronic health records from over 45,000 patients and found that people with CUD had a 325% higher likelihood of contracting oral cancer within five years compared to those without the disorder. Tobacco smokers with CUD were 624% more likely to contract oral cancer than tobacco smokers without it.
The researchers suggest that there may be other factors contributing to this risk, such as the immune-suppressing effects of THC, the active compound in cannabis. The study’s findings have immediate implications for cancer screening practices and public health messaging, emphasizing the need for further research on long-term cannabis use effects and integrating oral health awareness into substance use disorder treatment and counseling.
Source: https://today.ucsd.edu/story/cannabis-use-disorder-triples-risk-of-oral-cancer