A new study from the USC Head and Neck Center, part of Keck Medicine of USC, has uncovered a significant link between cannabis use and an increased risk of head and neck cancer.
According to the research, published in JAMA Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery, individuals with cannabis dependence, or cannabis use disorder, are 3.5 to 5 times more likely to develop head and neck cancers compared to non-users.
This large-scale, multicenter study is one of the first and the largest to date to connect cannabis use with head and neck cancer.
Dr. Niels Kokot, a head and neck surgeon at the USC Head and Neck Center and senior author of the study, emphasized the importance of this discovery, noting that understanding this risk factor could potentially help in preventing these types of cancers.
Dr. Kokot also serves as a professor of otolaryngology—head and neck surgery at the Keck School of Medicine of USC.
Head and neck cancer is the sixth most common cancer globally and encompasses various types, including cancers of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oropharynx (which includes the tongue, tonsils, and back wall of the throat), and adjacent salivary glands.
The study, led by Tyler Gallagher, an MD/MPH candidate at the Keck School, found that individuals with cannabis use disorder had higher rates of all forms of head and neck cancer.
Moreover, this increased risk was independent of other factors like age, gender, ethnicity, and the use of alcohol and tobacco—both of which are well-established risk factors for head and neck cancer.
The researchers hypothesize that the primary reason for this increased risk is the harmful effects of cannabis smoke. Like tobacco smoke, cannabis smoke contains chemicals that can damage DNA and cause inflammation in the tissues of the head and neck, potentially leading to cancer.
However, the study did not differentiate between various methods of cannabis consumption, though smoking remains the most common method.
Dr. Kokot further speculated that cannabis smoke might even pose a greater risk than tobacco smoke. “Cannabis smoking is typically unfiltered and involves deeper inhalation compared to tobacco,” he explained. “Additionally, cannabis burns at a higher temperature than tobacco, increasing the risk of cancer-causing inflammation.”
This study raises important questions about the safety of cannabis use, especially in light of its increasing legalization and recreational use.
The researchers believe that more studies are needed to explore the exact mechanisms by which cannabis contributes to cancer development.
In the meantime, Dr. Kokot hopes that these findings will help people make more informed decisions regarding cannabis use and raise awareness about its potential risks.
To reach their conclusions, the researchers analyzed 20 years of data collected from a health research network comprising 64 healthcare organizations, covering over 90 million individuals.
They tracked cancer cases among those who used cannabis for one to five years, providing a comprehensive look at the long-term effects of cannabis use on head and neck cancer risk.
As cannabis continues to be widely used, especially in regions where it has been legalized, the findings of this study underscore the need for greater public awareness and further research to fully understand the potential health risks associated with its use.
If you care about cancer, please read studies about vitamin D and bowel cancer, and a cautionary note about peanuts and cancer.
For more health information, please see recent studies about the link between ultra-processed foods and cancer, and everyday foods to ward off pancreatic cancer.
The research findings can be found in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery.
Copyright © 2024 Knowridge Science Report. All rights reserved.
