If there weren't already enough reasons not to smoke dope...

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by news.bbc.co.uk

Marijuana testicular cancer link

Frequent or long-term marijuana use may raise a man's risk of testicular cancer, American research suggests.

The study of 369 men, published in the journal Cancer, found being a regular marijuana user doubled the risk compared to those who never smoked it.

The results suggest that it may be linked to the most aggressive form of the cancer.

...

The study from scientists at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle is the first to look specifically at marijuana use in relation to the disease.

They studied 369 men aged 18 to 44, who had been diagnosed with testicular cancer, and quizzed them about marijuana use.

Their replies were compared to those from almost 1,000 apparently healthy control subjects.

Even after adjusting the figures to take account of the other known risk factors, marijuana use remained a clear risk factor for testicular cancer.

Just being a marijuana smoker seemed to carry a 70% extra risk, while those who smoked it regularly, or had smoked from an early age, had twice the risk compared to those who had never smoked it.

A connection was made to nonseminoma, a fast-growing form of testicular cancer which accounts for approximately 40% of all cases, and tends to strike younger.

Full story: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7869709.stm?lss

Maybe Michael Phelps was just trying to get some extra aquadynamic efficiency by shedding some unecessary "weight" down there?

[TallLankyBastyd]

There are/were reasons NOT to smoke dope?!!?

[bassteban]

Shouldn't it be *weren't*?

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by bassteban

Shouldn't it be *weren't*?

Good spot.

[bassteban]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Good spot.

Thank you, Mark.

[wilser]

uh-huhuhuhu, he said "testicular"

[Ericman197]

Seeing as it's a small study presenting a never-before-seen result, I wouldn't yet count it as a reason 'not to smoke dope.' Maybe, maybe not. Inhaled smoke in general (cigarette or otherwise) has been linked to lower sperm counts, though that is not necessarily a criticism of cannabis as there are so many (better) alternative methods: edibles, vaporizing, etc. Definitely something to look into.

And this is just dumb: "we know very little about the long-term health consequences of marijuana smoking, especially heavy marijuana smoking"

It is as if cannabis is some magical plant that defies understanding. I think after all these years of research we know more than just 'very little,' but then again the researchers try to be on the cautious side. Most people aren't arguing that it's better for you than not smoking, but millions and millions of people did it in the 60s (and for hundreds/thousands of years prior) and at least no one has grown two heads.

[excane]

Originally Posted by wilser

uh-huhuhuhu, he said "testicular"

[Thunderscreech]

Well, I definitely know what I will NOT be doing anymore...

[bigblondeafro87]

...if you go outside you are more likely to get struck by lightning, if you get in a car you are more likely to get in a car accident, and if you go to a forge you a more likely to get in a 'shmelting' accident.

Honestly, why should anyone give a %#@$

[superbassman2000]

Originally Posted by Thunderscreech

Well, I definitely know what I will NOT be doing anymore...

reading scientific studies?

[XtreO]

I read an article about how crisps increase the chance of getting cancer. Then I read coffee increses the chance of getting cancer. Thus I concluded that everything gives you cancer, and stopped worrying about it. I bet you could find evidence eating a boiled egg can contribute to giving you cancer.

[SonofJud]

Correlation not causation? Perhaps just too lazy to go a checkup.

[Thunderscreech]

Originally Posted by superbassman2000

reading scientific studies?

[ProgRapture]

Ironic that a medicine given to cancer patients would cause cancer. Of course, you also have the options of vaporizing or eating said plant.

[Marley's Ghost]

Everything
Everything gives you cancer
Everything
Everything gives you cancer
Theres no cure, theres no answer
Everything gives you cancer

Dont touch that dial
Dont try to smile
Just take this pill
Its in your file

Dont work hard
Dont play hard
Dont plan for the graveyard
Remember -

Everything
Everything gives you cancer
Everything
Everything gives you cancer
Theres no cure, theres no answer
Everything gives you cancer

Dont work by night
Dont play by day
Youll feel all right
But you will pay

No caffeine
No protein
No booze or
Nicotine
Remember -

[santucci218]

if cancer doesn't kill you, something else will. smoke whatever you want.

[Blavelle]

I always found these studies really odd. I bet 80% of these people eat peanut butter more then once a week, does peanut butter give you testicular cancer? not that I'm comparing smoking weed to eating peanut butter but I'd like some scientific reasoning not just "a bunch of people smoked pot and a bunch of em got ball cancer." also I wonder what the number of people in this study is who smoke pot because they have cancer.

[kydnav]

Good thing I don't have testicles then!

[Eric Perry]

Originally Posted by superbassman2000

reading scientific studies?

Originally Posted by kydnav

Good thing I don't have testicles then!

No pics, no non-testicles.... Errrr, something.