Marijuana use & lung cancer - Page 2

Megbert · 05-25-2006, 01:40 PM

MJ/Lung Cancer

Study finds no marijuana link to lung cancer

By Deena Beasley Tue May 23, 9:40 PM ET

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Marijuana smoking does not increase a person's risk of developing lung cancer, according to the findings of a new study at the University of California Los Angeles that surprised even the researchers.

They had expected to find that a history of heavy marijuana use, like cigarette smoking, would increase the risk of cancer.

Instead, the study, which compared the lifestyles of 611 Los Angeles County lung cancer patients and 601 patients with head and neck cancers with those of 1,040 people without cancer, found no elevated cancer risk for even the heaviest pot smokers. It did find a 20-fold increased risk of lung cancer in people who smoked two or more packs of cigarettes a day.

The study results were presented in San Diego on Tuesday at a meeting of the American Thoracic Society.

The study was confined to people under age 60 since baby boomers were the most likely age group to have long-term exposure to marijuana, said Dr. Donald Tashkin, senior researcher and professor at the UCLA School of Medicine.

The results should not be taken as a blank check to smoke pot, which has been associated with problems like cognitive impairment and chronic bronchitis, said Dr. John Hansen-Flaschen, chief of pulmonary and critical care at the University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia. He was not involved in the study.

Previous studies showed marijuana tar contained about 50 percent more of the chemicals linked to lung cancer, compared with tobacco tar, Tashkin said. In addition, smoking a marijuana joint deposits four times more tar in the lungs than smoking an equivalent amount of tobacco.

"Marijuana is packed more loosely than tobacco, so there's less filtration through the rod of the cigarette, so more particles will be inhaled," Tashkin said in a statement. "And marijuana smokers typically smoke differently than tobacco smokers -- they hold their breath about four times longer, allowing more time for extra fine particles to deposit in the lung."

He theorized that tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, a chemical in marijuana smoke that produces its psychotropic effect, may encourage aging, damaged cells to die off before they become cancerous.

Hansen-Flaschen also cautioned a cancer-marijuana link could emerge as baby boomers age and there may be smaller population groups, based on genetics or other factors, still at risk for marijuana-related cancers.

I am sure in a year or so there'll be a study proving the exact opposite.

**DaFace** · 05-25-2006, 02:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katipan

... I think I'm the only person I know that will smoke pot but not cigarettes.

Depends on your crowd. Of my pot-smoking friends, I only know a couple who smoke tobacco. That's not the norm, but there are a few out there.

Hammock Parties · 05-25-2006, 02:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katipan

... I think I'm the only person I know that will smoke pot but not cigarettes.

I smoked a cigarette once just to try it...never again.

I'd smoke some pot, though.

MOhillbilly · 05-25-2006, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GoChiefs

I smoked a cigarette once just to try it...never again.

I'd smoke some pot, though.

yeah but who would smoke it with you?

Hammock Parties · 05-25-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

yeah but who would smoke it with you?

Whoever hooked me up. I'd never buy pot.

Taco John · 05-25-2006, 02:38 PM

That's what they all say, until they realize how little a deal it actually is...

58-4ever · 05-25-2006, 02:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katipan

... I think I'm the only person I know that will smoke pot but not cigarettes.

I am that person. I've actually never had cigarette.

Katipan · 05-25-2006, 02:44 PM

We should have our own state.

MOhillbilly · 05-25-2006, 02:47 PM

i started smokin off and on when i was 12 and heavily from about 16-28ish and never smoked one cig.

MOhillbilly · 05-25-2006, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katipan

We should have our own state.

i think its called Canada.

**Dartgod** · 05-25-2006, 02:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taco John

Northern Lights Indica...

My eyes got red just reading that.

chiefsfaninNC · 05-25-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MOhillbilly

i think its called Canada.

I have always called it Enterprise.

Calcountry · 05-25-2006, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZChiefFan

MJ/Lung Cancer

Study finds no marijuana link to lung cancer

By Deena Beasley Tue May 23, 9:40 PM ET

.

No way dude....

exhale, bummer.

NJ Chief Fan · 05-25-2006, 03:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AZChiefFan

Study finds no marijuana link to lung cancer

speakin of smokin the "reefer"... last night i smoked out of some thing called a vaporizer...supposedly its suppose to be the cleanest high, it just burns the thc... but it destroyed my throat

Fish · 05-25-2006, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Katipan

... I think I'm the only person I know that will smoke pot but not cigarettes.

I'll bet there are quite a few more than you would think.... I know a bunch... including myself...

Katipan · 05-25-2006, 03:26 PM

I only know so many people, you know.

05-25-2006, 01:40 PM
Megbert New and shiny. Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: KC KS Casino cash: $9270260	Marijuana use & lung cancer MJ/Lung Cancer Study finds no marijuana link to lung cancer By Deena Beasley Tue May 23, 9:40 PM ET LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Marijuana smoking does not increase a person's risk of developing lung cancer, according to the findings of a new study at the University of California Los Angeles that surprised even the researchers. They had expected to find that a history of heavy marijuana use, like cigarette smoking, would increase the risk of cancer. Instead, the study, which compared the lifestyles of 611 Los Angeles County lung cancer patients and 601 patients with head and neck cancers with those of 1,040 people without cancer, found no elevated cancer risk for even the heaviest pot smokers. It did find a 20-fold increased risk of lung cancer in people who smoked two or more packs of cigarettes a day. The study results were presented in San Diego on Tuesday at a meeting of the American Thoracic Society. The study was confined to people under age 60 since baby boomers were the most likely age group to have long-term exposure to marijuana, said Dr. Donald Tashkin, senior researcher and professor at the UCLA School of Medicine. The results should not be taken as a blank check to smoke pot, which has been associated with problems like cognitive impairment and chronic bronchitis, said Dr. John Hansen-Flaschen, chief of pulmonary and critical care at the University of Pennsylvania Health System in Philadelphia. He was not involved in the study. Previous studies showed marijuana tar contained about 50 percent more of the chemicals linked to lung cancer, compared with tobacco tar, Tashkin said. In addition, smoking a marijuana joint deposits four times more tar in the lungs than smoking an equivalent amount of tobacco. "Marijuana is packed more loosely than tobacco, so there's less filtration through the rod of the cigarette, so more particles will be inhaled," Tashkin said in a statement. "And marijuana smokers typically smoke differently than tobacco smokers -- they hold their breath about four times longer, allowing more time for extra fine particles to deposit in the lung." He theorized that tetrahydrocannabinol, or THC, a chemical in marijuana smoke that produces its psychotropic effect, may encourage aging, damaged cells to die off before they become cancerous. Hansen-Flaschen also cautioned a cancer-marijuana link could emerge as baby boomers age and there may be smaller population groups, based on genetics or other factors, still at risk for marijuana-related cancers. I am sure in a year or so there'll be a study proving the exact opposite.
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05-25-2006, 02:38 PM	#20
Taco John Sapere Aude Join Date: Jun 2001 Casino cash: $3517937	That's what they all say, until they realize how little a deal it actually is... __________________ Ehyeh asher ehyeh. Donger's Razor: "The most establishment-friendly explanation that gives leftist and neocon politicians the most amount of cover is the only possible explanation, even when gaping holes and leaps of logic are required to get there."
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05-25-2006, 02:44 PM	#22
Katipan MER Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $2780351	We should have our own state. __________________ "Loving him is red."
Posts: 22,618

05-25-2006, 02:47 PM	#23
MOhillbilly Mama Tried Join Date: Dec 2002 Location: Missouri Casino cash: $9949903	i started smokin off and on when i was 12 and heavily from about 16-28ish and never smoked one cig. __________________ True Son of Liberty
Posts: 23,371

05-25-2006, 03:26 PM	#30
Katipan MER Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Colorado Casino cash: $2780351	I only know so many people, you know. __________________ "Loving him is red."
Posts: 22,618