USC Study Links Heavy Marijuana Use to Increased Risk of Head and Neck Cancers
08/16/2024
A recent study from the University of Southern California (USC) suggests that frequent and heavy marijuana use may significantly increase the risk of head and neck cancers (HNCs). The research, published in JAMA Otolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, found that marijuana users are between 3.5 and 5 times more likely to develop HNCs compared to non-users.
“This is one of the first studies — and the largest that we know of to date — to associate head and neck cancer with cannabis use,” said Dr. Niels Kokot, a head and neck surgeon at Keck Medicine of USC and senior author of the study. Dr. Kokot emphasized that identifying cannabis use as a potential risk factor is crucial, as it may lead to more effective prevention strategies.
HNCs encompass cancers of the oral and nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx, salivary glands, and thyroid. These cancers account for nearly 3% of all cancer diagnoses and over 1.5% of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The study's findings add cannabis to the list of known HNC risk factors, which already includes excessive alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking.
Despite marijuana's growing popularity — it is the most commonly used illicit substance worldwide — its link to HNCs has been unclear until now. Previous studies exploring the relationship between cannabis use and HNC risk have yielded inconsistent results. However, USC researchers believe their study provides compelling evidence of a connection.
The study analyzed 20 years of medical data from 116,000 people, comparing marijuana users who reported dependency to health professionals with non-users who had similar health characteristics. The researchers concluded that cannabis smoke might be more hazardous than cigarette smoke concerning HNCs, despite both containing similar carcinogens. They noted that cannabis smoke might be more inflammatory due to its unfiltered nature, deeper inhalation, and higher combustion temperature.
However, the study does have limitations, including a lack of detailed information on marijuana dosage, frequency, and method of use. Despite these limitations, the research highlights the potential dangers of cannabis use, particularly for those at risk of HNCs.
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“This is one of the first studies — and the largest that we know of to date — to associate head and neck cancer with cannabis use,” said Dr. Niels Kokot, a head and neck surgeon at Keck Medicine of USC and senior author of the study. Dr. Kokot emphasized that identifying cannabis use as a potential risk factor is crucial, as it may lead to more effective prevention strategies.
HNCs encompass cancers of the oral and nasal cavities, pharynx, larynx, salivary glands, and thyroid. These cancers account for nearly 3% of all cancer diagnoses and over 1.5% of cancer-related deaths in the United States. The study's findings add cannabis to the list of known HNC risk factors, which already includes excessive alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking.
Despite marijuana's growing popularity — it is the most commonly used illicit substance worldwide — its link to HNCs has been unclear until now. Previous studies exploring the relationship between cannabis use and HNC risk have yielded inconsistent results. However, USC researchers believe their study provides compelling evidence of a connection.
The study analyzed 20 years of medical data from 116,000 people, comparing marijuana users who reported dependency to health professionals with non-users who had similar health characteristics. The researchers concluded that cannabis smoke might be more hazardous than cigarette smoke concerning HNCs, despite both containing similar carcinogens. They noted that cannabis smoke might be more inflammatory due to its unfiltered nature, deeper inhalation, and higher combustion temperature.
However, the study does have limitations, including a lack of detailed information on marijuana dosage, frequency, and method of use. Despite these limitations, the research highlights the potential dangers of cannabis use, particularly for those at risk of HNCs.
Reference
