Study Reveals Cannabis Use Disorder Significantly Increases Oral Cancer Risk

A recent investigation conducted by researchers at the University of California San Diego School of Medicine has unveiled alarming findings regarding cannabis use disorder (CUD) and its link to oral cancer. The study reveals that individuals diagnosed with CUD are over three times more likely to develop oral cancer within a five-year period compared to those who do not have the disorder.

Published in the journal Preventive Medicine Reports, the study underscores the long-term health risks associated with problematic cannabis use. In 2022, approximately 17.7 million individuals reported using cannabis on a daily or near-daily basis. While not every cannabis user develops CUD, estimates suggest that about 30% of users may experience this disorder.

As cannabis becomes increasingly accessible and socially accepted, it is crucial to comprehend its potential health implications. Although many people regard cannabis as a safer alternative to substances like tobacco and alcohol, significant uncertainties remain regarding its health effects, particularly concerning cancer risk. This latest research aims to clarify the relationship between CUD and oral cancer, a condition for which smoking tobacco is a known risk factor.

According to Dr. Raphael Cuomo, associate professor in the Department of Anesthesiology at UC San Diego and a member of the UC San Diego Moores Cancer Center, cannabis smoke contains numerous carcinogenic compounds similar to those found in tobacco smoke, which are known to harm the epithelial tissue in the mouth. The study adds to a growing body of evidence indicating that chronic or problematic cannabis use may heighten cancer risk in tissues exposed to combustion products.

By examining the electronic health records of over 45,000 patients, including 949 who developed CUD, the researchers made several significant discoveries:

• After adjusting for factors such as age, sex, body mass index, and smoking status, individuals with CUD exhibited a 325% increased likelihood of developing oral cancer within five years compared to those without the disorder.
• Tobacco smokers with CUD had a staggering 624% higher risk of developing oral cancer within the same timeframe compared to their counterparts who did not have CUD.

The persistent association between CUD and oral cancer risk remained significant even after accounting for smoking habits. Furthermore, the researchers noted that CUD was linked to an increased risk of oral cancer even when the analysis focused solely on smokers. This suggests that additional factors beyond mere smoke inhalation may contribute to the heightened risk. For instance, THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis, is known for its immune-suppressive properties, which could also play a role in increasing cancer risk.

While further research is necessary to fully elucidate the connection between cannabis use and oral cancer, the findings of this study bear immediate implications for cancer screening protocols and public health initiatives. The results highlight the urgent need for additional exploration into the long-term effects of cannabis consumption and underscore the importance of integrating oral health education into treatment and counseling for substance use disorders.

For more information on this research, see the study titled Cannabis use disorder and five-year risk of oral cancer in a multicenter clinical cohort published in Preventive Medicine Reports.