Heavy Cannabis Use Linked To Higher Head And Neck Cancer Risk, New Study Finds

A study published Thursday in JAMA Otolaryngology-Head & Neck Surgery suggests a link between daily, heavy cannabis use and an elevated risk of head and neck cancers. Led by Dr. Niels Kokot of Keck Medicine at the University of Southern California, the study analyzed data spanning two decades, involving over 4 million individuals across 64 U.S. health centers.

Cancer Risk And Cannabis Use Disorder

The research notes that individuals diagnosed with cannabis use disorder are between 3.5 and 5 times more likely to develop cancers of the mouth, throat and nasal cavity compared to non-users. These cancers are notably more prevalent in men and pose significant health risks, with survival rates drastically declining if the cancer metastasizes.

Experts believe the risks associated with cannabis might be due to the carcinogenic potential of cannabinoids and the smoke produced by combustion. “Cannabinoids themselves could be carcinogenic, and it could also be that the smoke itself has potential for carcinogenesis,” Kokot told NBC News. This distinction is crucial as cannabis continues to be primarily consumed through smoking.

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Challenges Of Using Self-Reported Data

The study leveraged TriNetX’s extensive database to undertake the research. Despite inherent limitations of self-reported data like potential biases, the large sample size lends significant weight to the findings and suggests more research is needed to fully understand these associations.

Complex Role Of Cannabis In Cancer

The study’s findings also prompted discussions about the impact of frequency and method of ingestion on cancer risks. Dr. Joseph Califano, from UC San Diego's Gleiberman Head and Neck Cancer Center, underscored the study's importance due to the large sample size and detailed data. However, he clarified to CNN, “The occasional recreational use of marijuana does not show a significant association with head and neck cancer.”

This research adds a critical layer to the ongoing debate about the safety of cannabis, particularly as legalization spreads and usage rates climb. With head and neck cancers contributing to 4% of all cancers in the U.S., understanding these risks is more relevant than ever.

Cannabis’s role in cancer is complex, as highlighted by Califano in an editorial accompanying the study, “Some of them may be associated with cancer development, some may actually inhibit cancer development.” 

Further Research Needed On Cannabis Risks

Such duality underscores the need for further research to better understand cannabis’s health implications, balancing its therapeutic potential against its risks. "This underscores the importance to inform people about the potential risks and conduct further research to understand the long-term impacts of cannabis use on cancer development," said Kokot.

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Photo: Elsa Olofsson On Unsplash.