<b>Marijuana may increase risk of testicular cancer</b>

Researchers from the University of Southern California (USC) found a possible link between recreational marijuana use and testicular cancer.

USC researchers conducted a case-controlled study, which compares a group of people who have a certain disease with a group of similar people without the disease (the ‘control’ group). Specifically, they compared men who used marijuana and had testicular cancer to similar men without the disease.

The upshot? Pot smokers were twice as likely to develop testicular cancer. Although the small case-controlled study conducted by USC doesn’t prove that ‘lighting up’ causes the disease, it does support two earlier studies connecting marijuana use with testicular cancer. Collectively, it gives cause for concern.

Testicular cancer is the most common form of cancer in men 15 to 45 years of age.

Findings of the study were published online in the peer-reviewed journal of the American Cancer Society, <i>Cancer</i>.