A new study published in Preventive Medicine Reports found that daily marijuana use triples the risk of developing oral cancer in US adults. The research, which followed 45,000 people for five years, discovered that those with cannabis use disorder were 3.25 times more likely to develop oral cancer compared to those without the disorder.
The study’s lead author, Dr Raphael Cuomo, notes that cannabis smoke contains many of the same carcinogenic compounds found in tobacco smoke, which have known damaging effects on epithelial tissue. THC, the psychoactive chemical in marijuana, can also suppress crucial immune system pathways that would typically patrol for and kill rogue cells.
Researchers estimate that nearly 18 million Americans are daily or near-daily cannabis users, increasing their risk of oral cancer by more than three times. The study also found that those with co-occurring tobacco use were six times more likely to develop oral cancer, and age played a role in increasing cancer risk by about four times per year.
The findings have significant implications for cancer screening practices in primary care and mental health settings, as patients with cannabis use disorder often present with overlapping social and behavioral risk factors. The study’s results add to growing evidence suggesting that chronic or problematic cannabis use may contribute to cancer risk in tissues exposed to combustion products.
As marijuana becomes increasingly accessible and potent, concerns over potential long-term effects continue to grow. Previous research has linked regular use of potent cannabis in adolescence to changes in brain structure, increased risk of psychosis, and addiction. The study’s findings highlight the need for further investigation into the risks associated with daily cannabis use.
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14963513/Dirty-habit-followed-18million-Americans-TRIPLES-risk-getting-cancer.html