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Marijuana may cause rare skin cancer

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Researchers at Harvard Medical School say the active component of marijuana may enhance the virus that causes a rare type of skin cancer called Kaposi’s sarcoma. While most people are not at risk of developing this cancer, AIDS patients are transplant recipients are. It’s the weakened immune system that puts some at risk for this disease. And these are the people who should discuss with their doctors the costs of using marijuana medicinally or recreationally.

It may take only small doses of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the ingredient that gives marijuana users a “high” — to cause cells to become infected and then multiply, according to a study reported in the August 1 issue of Cancer Research.

Previous studies have indicated this very same association between marijuana use and Kaposi’s sarcoma. But this study shows THC itself is the driving force.

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Original post by Jacki Donaldson

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    Marijuana may cause rare skin cancer

    Filed under: , ,

    Researchers at Harvard Medical School say the active component of marijuana may enhance the virus that causes a rare type of skin cancer called Kaposi’s sarcoma. While most people are not at risk of developing this cancer, AIDS patients are transplant recipients are. It’s the weakened immune system that puts some at risk for this disease. And these are the people who should discuss with their doctors the costs of using marijuana medicinally or recreationally.

    It may take only small doses of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) — the ingredient that gives marijuana users a “high” — to cause cells to become infected and then multiply, according to a study reported in the August 1 issue of Cancer Research.

    Previous studies have indicated this very same association between marijuana use and Kaposi’s sarcoma. But this study shows THC itself is the driving force.

    Read | Permalink | Email this | Linking Blogs | Comments

    Original post by Jacki Donaldson

    Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
    • Digg
    • del.icio.us
    • Netvouz
    • DZone
    • ThisNext
    • MisterWong
    • Wists



    Related Articles
  • Marijuana withdrawal as bad as withdrawal from cigarettes
  • Malt Liquor Linked to Marijuana Use
  • Opium and marijuana research go underground
  • Medical marijuana bill vetoed by cancer survivor Governor
  • Marijuana halts lung cancer growth by half
  • No comments yet. Be the first.

    Leave a reply