Study Associates Weed with Risk of Head and Neck Cancer
Chronic use of cannabis over the years might increase the risk of fatal head and neck cancers, according to a new study. The study looked at data from over 4 million patients in the course of two decades. Most of the head and neck cancer risk is associated with heavy smoking of cannabis, but also consuming tobacco and alcohol products.
Cannabis is commonly used to help cancer patients. But still, when it comes to cancer itself, cannabis might be a sword with two edges. In particular, smoking irresponsible amounts of cannabis during a longer period of time, increases the risks of dangerous types of head and neck cancers. It’s the same risk as with tobacco and alcohol, say researchers.
Chronic Cannabis Use May Raise Risk of Head and Neck Cancer Up to 5 Times
Daily use of marijuana for years may lead to a greater risk of lethal head and neck cancers, increasing the chances for 3.5 to 5 times, claims a new study published in the journal JAMA Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery.
The study evaluated millions of medical records. The base of records included 20 years of data from more than 4 million patients, between April 2004 to April 2024. The data was aggregated from 64 health care organizations, while the diagnoses were based on self-reported use of cannabis. Meaning, the patients told their health care provider how often they used marijuana and the effect it had on them.
Head and neck cancers make up less than 5% of all cancers in the United States, or roughly 70,000 new cases each year. The National Foundation for Cancer Research estimates that those numbers would lead to over 16,100 deaths in the course of 2024, with men rather than women being two to three times more likely to get the diagnosis, as they are more likely to smoke or drink alcohol.
“Our research shows that people who use cannabis, particularly those with a cannabis use disorder, are significantly more likely to develop head and neck cancers compared to those who do not use cannabis,” said senior study author Dr. Niels Kokot from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles.
Head and neck cancers include cancers in the areas of the mouth, throat and nasal cavity. The very areas that are directly exposed to inhaling smoke, and every type of smoke, whether it’s from tobacco or cannabis products, may carry carcinogenic agents.
“The cannabinoids themselves could be carcinogenic, and it could also be that the smoke itself has potential for carcinogenesis,” added Dr. Kokot.
While the study did not differentiate between methods of cannabis consumption, the researchers assume that most of the patients engaged in smoking as a delivery method. Therefore, any association between cannabis and head and neck cancer is mainly due to smoking cannabis.
Smoke from Cannabis Can Have Accumulative Effect on Cancer
The study compared between people with and without cannabis use disorder. None of the people with cannabis use disorder, most of them white, had a history of head and neck cancer before the start of the study.
Cannabis users were more likely than non-users to develop various types of cancer in the head and neck area, according to the study. The most common cancer types observed were oral cancers and cancer of the larynx. The least common, or no correlation was found with hypopharyngeal cancer, a type of cancer that occurs on the lower part of the throat.
The authors pointed out that the self-reported data is a limitation to the study. It’s difficult to objectively say how many people regularly use marijuana when relying on this type of data, they said.
However, chronic use over time, such as smoking at least one joint every day, has now been seen as having an accumulative effect on cancer. Or at least on certain types of cancer.
Two different analyses of the data were conducted by the researchers. The first looked at patients who reported use of cannabis and their chances of getting a head and neck cancer within the first year of cannabis disorder diagnosis and five years or more after that.
A second analysis looked at how strong the association between cannabis and neck and head cancer was, and whether there was still a link between them after five years of cannabis use disorder.
The cannabis use disorder group reportedly had greater risk of getting head and neck cancer, in particular specific types such as laryngeal and oropharyngeal cancer, which are cancers on the tissue of the larynx and on the middle part of the pharynx.
The Same Risk for Cancer Remains with Alcohol and Tobacco
While the recent study adds in one more factor for the cause of head and neck cancer, experts remind that consistent heavy use of tobacco and alcohol carry the same risks.
Tobacco use, including smoking cigarettes, roll-your-own tobacco, cigars, pipes, bidis and kreteks, as well as drinking alcohol are the top reasons for developing head and neck cancers.
Certain types of diseases and viruses are also associated with head and neck cancers. Gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD, and weak immune system have been co-related to tumors in the head and neck area. Also associated are viruses such as HPV and Epstein-Barr.
What are the chances to survive head and neck cancers? Roughly 70% of people can make it through five years or longer following a diagnosis. However, if the cancer spreads to other parts of the body, that rate falls to less than 15% to live, according to medical experts.
What is Considered Cannabis Use Disorder?
The recent study on head and neck cancers looked at groups who had cannabis use disorder and those who did not have one. How are users diagnosed with cannabis use disorder in a medical setting? They need to have two or more of the following symptoms, as written out by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Here’s the list of symptoms:
- Using more weed than intended
- Experiencing withdrawal and being unable to quit
- Craving for weed
- Making heavy use of marijuana
- Using marijuana even though it causes problems in life (such as at school, work, in relationships, etc.)
- Using in high-risk situations (such as when driving a car)
- Using besides struggling with health problems
What Are Safe Ways to Use Cannabis, Without Risk of Cancer?
Cancer is typically associated with smoking. Whether it’s rolling one up or going for the bongs, there’s always some kind of risk with smoking.
Smoking just one joint can amount to smoking 2-5 cigarettes in terms of lung damage, when taken into account how a lot of people who smoke weed hold the smoke in the lungs for a greater effect. But this is also one of the most common myths about cannabis. That if you hold it longer, the head high will be stronger. In reality, that just irritates the lungs. Therefore, if you do smoke weed and do not intend on quitting anytime soon, at least don’t hold the smoke in your lungs for more than a second or two.
If you plan to quit smoking cannabis and get the health benefits of non-smokers, there are plenty of other ways to indulge in cannabis. You can try THC-infused brownies, gummies, candies and cookies. There are also all kinds of THC-infused drinks, including lemonades, mojitos, sparkling water, caffeinated beverages and more. You can use marijuana as under-the-tongue tincture, oils, dissolvable powders, pills, tablets, and transdermal patches. With the rise of the industry, there is now little excuse not to substitute smoking at least partially with other forms of consumption.
What Else Can You Do To Lower the Risk of Cancer?
If you worry about cancer, it’s important to get regular screening, especially if you have a family history with certain types of cancers or live in an area where there are recurring reports of people getting cancer.
Beyond that, you can always live healthier, control your habits and behaviors, and you can do that by:
- Stop or at least significantly reduce smoking
- Cut on other vices, such as alcohol
- Stay fit and exercise
- Limit processed meat and other fast foods and snacks
- Eat fiber, broccoli, and consume vitamin supplements
- Wear sunscreen and avoid midday sun
- Use cannabis as a medicine
Sticking to healthier behaviors will not only reduce your chances of neck and head cancers, but also many other types of cancers and other diseases to be fair. It will make you overall healthier and look younger.
Also read on Soft Secrets:
- Can Cannabis Help with Cancer?
S
Stephen Andrews
