MARIJUANA LINKED TO TESTICULAR CANCER
IN THE NEWS
Young men with early or heavy use of Marijuana appear to have a 70% greater risk of Testicular Cancer. This risk is even higher the younger the age of first use.
Researchers at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research center in Seattle found an association with Nonseminoma, a fast growing and aggressive subtype of testicular cancer. Of all testicular cancer, 40% is Nonseminoma and the rest are slower growing.
It appears that hormonal changes during puberty make young men more vulnerable. The findings were independent of other known risk factors, such as family history, cigarette smoking and alcohol use. It appears that the testes, like the brain, have receptors for tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, the chemical component of marijuana.
I found this information very interesting. In our center, we have seen so many young people with ADHD attempt to self-medicate with Marijuana. It appears the dangers of Marijuana are greater than we initially understood.