Men who regularly smoke cannabis are more likely to develop testicular cancer, according to a new study. Researchers linked long-term cannabis use with higher rates of testicular cancer.
According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), there were about 9,560 newly diagnosed cases of testicular cancer and about 410 deaths from the disease in 2019.
The study was published in the Journal of the American Medical Association.
The authors wrote, “Regular marijuana use was associated with development of testicular germ cell tumors. Sustained marijuana use may increase the risk for testicular cancer.”
The study estimated that men who used cannabis for a longer period of time were 36 percent more likely to be diagnosed with testicular cancer than men who did not use the drug at all.
The National Health Service (NHS) says, “Typical symptoms are a painless swelling or lump in one of the testicles, or any change in shape or texture of the testicles. The swelling or lump can be about the size of a pea, but may be larger.”
“Most lumps or swellings in the scrotum are not in the testicle and are not a sign of cancer, but they should never be ignored,” added the UK health agency.
The ACS says, “Testicular cancer is not common: about 1 of every 250 males will develop testicular cancer at some point during their lifetime.”
It is one of the most common types of cancers diagnosed in men aged between 15 and 49. In fact, half of the men who are diagnosed with testicular cancer are under 35. “Because testicular cancer usually can be treated successfully, a man’s lifetime risk of dying from this cancer is very low: about 1 in 5,000,” according to the ACS.
