Cannabis Linked to Testicular Cancer

A recent study in the USA has found evidence of a link between cannabis use and testicular cancer.

An existing male cannabis user has a 70 per cent increased risk of testicular cancer.

Men who had used cannabis since puberty were twice as likely to develop testicular cancer as men who had never used cannabis.

The study suggested that cannabis may interfere with a man’s natural production of cancer inhibiting mechanisms.

Testicular cancer has doubled in men between 15 and 34 years during the last half of the twentieth century.

(Source: American Cancer Society Online 9 February 2009).

DRUG ADVISORY COUNCIL COMMENTS-

The link between cannabis use and other cancers is well established and this study expands the link to testicular cancer as well.

The doubling of testicular cancer in Australia since the 1960’s coincides with the increased use of cannabis which is the most commonly used illicit drug in our country.

Australia is impacted by this increase in cancers caused by cannabis use and is not exempt.

The more prolonged the use of cannabis the higher the risk of cancer.

Australia needs an early intervention detoxification and rehabilitation system to stem the cost of cancer treatments.

Of most concern is the impact of the testicular cancer on young Australian men in their twenties and thirties.