Cannabis linked with lower risk of urological cancer – study

A new study has found an association between previous cannabis use and lower risk of urological conditions, such as bladder and prostate cancer.

The impact of cannabis use on urological cancer remains unclear, however a new study has found that it may be associated with lower risk of urological conditions.

A team of researchers from China, the UK and France analysed the cannabis use of 151,945 individuals between 2006 and 2010 via the UK Biobank.

Their multivariable analysis found that previous use of cannabis was a “significant protective factor” for renal cell carcinoma (one of the 10 most common cancers in the United States, accounting for 90 per cent of all kidney cancers) and prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer among males in the UK, with around 52,300 new cases every year. 

Using a method called Mendelian randomisation, the authors found a “potential causal effect” of cannabis use on a “lower incidence” of renal cell carcinoma.

A further association between previous cannabis use and renal cell carcinoma, as well as bladder cancer, was observed in female subjects but not in males.

The study also found no significant association between cannabis use and testicular cancer.

In the paper’s conclusion, the researchers wrote: “Previous use of cannabis was associated with a lower risk of bladder cancer, renal cell carcinoma, and prostate cancer.

“The inverse association between cannabis and both renal cell carcinoma and bladder cancer was only found in females but not in males.”

The bigger picture 

In the UK cannabis can be prescribed legally to cancer patients to treat symptoms such as pain, as well as the side-effects of treatment such as chemotherapy.

While some patients claim it has helped them achieve remission, there is little scientific evidence to back up these claims or endorse cannabis as a first-line treatment for cancer.

A growing body of research, however, is finding links between the two.

This paper shows similar results to previous studies which have recognised an association between cannabis use and a lower risk of developing cancers such as bladder cancer, neck and liver cancer.

The full article was published in the journal Cancer Medicine.

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