A new study published Monday in the online journal Cancer has found that men who smoke marijuana appear to have a higher risk of developing a certain kind of testicular cancer. By contrast, cocaine use appeared to decrease the risk that a man would develop testicular cancer.
Researchers are uncertain as to the specific reasons why marijuana and cocaine use appear to impact a man's risk of developing that type of cancer. The authors of the study have called for more research in light of their findings, particularly on the way that the drugs interact with the body's cells.
Here is some of the key information regarding the new study on marijuana and cocaine use and testicular cancer.
* The Los Angeles Times and other media outlets reported that there have actually been two previous studies that also found a link between marijuana use and an increased risk of developing testicular cancer.
* The authors of Monday's study reported in their concluding paragraph that, to their knowledge, their research marks the first time that a link has been found between the use of cocaine and a decreased risk of developing testicular cancer. Researchers suspect this is due to the fact that cocaine has a damaging effect on the body's cells, which may lower the risk that a man will develop testicular cancer but inflict other harm.
* Monday's study actually involved a relatively small number of participants, which included 163 men who had developed testicular cancer between the years of 1986 and 1991. Another 292 individuals were also gathered to serve as a control group.
* According to an ABC News report, the study, which used interview techniques to gather information from participants, primarily researched the effect that recreational use of marijuana and cocaine had on a man's cancer risk, although heavier or more frequent users were also included.
* WebMD and other media outlets have widely reported the fact that the incidence of testicular cancer is on the rise. It is currently the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in men that are under 45 years of age.
* Men that had smoked marijuana were twice as likely to develop testicular cancer as men who did not, according to the study, although even with that increase, the chances that a man will develop testicular cancer remain relatively low.
* Men who had smoked less often or had stopped smoking marijuana developed testicular cancer more often than men who were heavy or regular users, perplexing researchers.
* Critics of the study have been quick to defend marijuana use for therapeutic purposes. NBC News quoted John Davis, who is the chief executive at Seattle's Northwest Patient Resource Center, who said that "you should understand the risks and benefits, just like any other kind of therapy," but that marijuana "is one of the safest therapeutically active substances."
Vanessa Evans is a musician and freelance writer based in Michigan, with a lifelong interest in health and nutrition issues.
Source: http://news.yahoo.com/study-links-marijuana-increased-risk-testicular-cancer-171000040.html
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