-Caveat Lector- Smoking is smoking is smoking... Because of the unregulated nature of marijuana production and sale, marijuana growers have no incentive to control the amount of tar in their product. In addition, most marijuana smokers hold the smoke in the respiratory tract far longer than is normal with tobacco smoke. Verb. sap. http://www.medscape.com/reuters/eline/tue/t1227-3f.html Smoking Marijuana Increases Head And Neck Cancer Risk NEW YORK, Dec 27 (Reuters Health) -- People who smoke marijuana may be more likely than those who do not smoke to develop cancer of the head and neck, according to a report in the December 17th issue of Cancer Epidemiology Biomarker and Prevention. "Many people may think marijuana is harmless, but it's not," said study author Dr. Zuo-Feng Zhang, in a statement issued by the University of California, Los Angeles. The more often each day a person smokes marijuana, and the longer they continue to smoke it, the greater their chance of developing cancer in places such as the mouth, tongue, larynx or pharynx, according to the study by Zhang, of UCLA's Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Center, and colleagues. The researchers compared marijuana, alcohol and tobacco use in 173 patients who had cancer of the head and neck with that of 176 blood donors who did not have cancer. When they eliminated other factors that contribute to cancer, including smoking and alcohol intake, they found that people who smoked marijuana at any point during their lifetime were 2.6 times more likely to develop head and neck cancer compared with people who had never smoked marijuana. The risk increased in relation to the amount of the drug used and the number of years a person smoked marijuana. "If you smoke a little, your risk increases a little," Zhang said. "If you smoke a lot, your risk increases a lot." Marijuana may interact with a genetic susceptibility to such cancers, with cigarette smoking, and, to a lesser extent, with alcohol consumption to increase a person's chances of developing head and neck cancer, according to the report. Back in the 1960s, many people in their twenties smoked marijuana, Zhang points out. Because cancers of the head and neck take 20 to 30 years to develop, individuals who smoked large amounts of marijuana 20 to 30 years ago may just now be developing head and neck cancer. The researchers note that the blood donors, the comparison group in the study, may have been less likely than the cancer patients to have used marijuana. Or it is possible that the cancer patients were more likely than the blood donors to remember and report marijuana use. Either factor could bias the study, which should be confirmed with more research, the research team says. Although it's known that the cancer-causing properties of marijuana smoke are similar to those of cigarette smoke, this is the first study in which investigators have looked at the relationship between smoking marijuana and head and neck cancer, Zhang said. It is estimated that approximately 31% of adults in the United States use marijuana. Cancer Epidemiology Biomarker and Prevention 1999;1071-1078. Copyright © 1999 Reuters Ltd. All rights reserved. Republication or redistribution of Reuters content is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Reuters. Reuters shall not be liable for any errors or delays in the content, or for any actions taken in reliance thereon. ======================= Robert F. Tatman Computer Help Desk Desktop & LAN Services Systems Department Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc. [EMAIL PROTECTED] 215.854.2729 215.854.2788 The contents of this message represent the opinion only of the writer, and may not be construed to indicate the endorsement of Knight-Ridder, Inc.; Philadelphia Newspapers, Inc.; The Philadelphia Inquirer; or the Philadelphia Daily News. "Artificial intelligence is no match for natural stupidity." DECLARATION & DISCLAIMER ========== CTRL is a discussion and informational exchange list. Proselyzting propagandic screeds are not allowed. Substance—not soapboxing! These are sordid matters and 'conspiracy theory', with its many half-truths, misdirections and outright frauds is used politically by different groups with major and minor effects spread throughout the spectrum of time and thought. That being said, CTRL gives no endorsement to the validity of posts, and always suggests to readers; be wary of what you read. CTRL gives no credeence to Holocaust denial and nazi's need not apply. Let us please be civil and as always, Caveat Lector. ======================================================================== Archives Available at: http://home.ease.lsoft.com/archives/CTRL.html http:[EMAIL PROTECTED]/ ======================================================================== To subscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SUBSCRIBE CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] To UNsubscribe to Conspiracy Theory Research List[CTRL] send email: SIGNOFF CTRL [to:] [EMAIL PROTECTED] Om
