Marijuana and Cancer Risk

Marijuana and Cancer Risk

Recreational marijuana use is linked to increased risk of testicular cancer, according to new research from the Keck School of Medicine at USC. Pot smokers were twice as likely to have testicular cancers of the non-seminoma subtype and mixed germ-cell-tumors. These types carry a somewhat worse prognosis than the seminoma subtype. Testicular cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in men ages 15-45 years.

I recently attended a professional seminar on the benefits of medical marijuana presented by medical researchers. Their research showed benefits for people like colitis and chronic pain.

In light of these new findings, however, I will certainly caution my male patients who use it for recreation.