Cannabis and oral/throat cancer risk -- Looking for accurate info

Hi everyone,

I am worried about oral/throat cancer. Somehow I happened across info that said smoking cigs, drinking alcohol and being infected with HPV can cause this. I was diagnosed with HPV a decade ago (and had some cervical dysplasia frozen off) I smoked for fifteen years before quitting and I used to be a heavy drinker, now I keep it to three or less beers per day.

Oh, and as far as herb goes I have smoked for 15 years also and about three months ago I switched from smoking to vaporizing. (Got a Vaporwarez 3G and I love it)

I know I have some risk factors for oral/throat/lung cancer (and the cervical kind)

Is marijuana a risk factor, too? I've read some reports that say yes, it does lead to oral/throat/lung cancer. Then I've read some reports that say no it does not. Then I've read some reports that say marijuana can prevent cancer.

I don't know what to believe!

Antineoplastic activity of cannabinoids
Antineoplastic activity of cannabinoids

Delta(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits epithelial growth factor-induced lung cancer cell migration
Unbound MEDLINE | Delta(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits epithelial growth factor-induced lung cancer cell migration in vitro as well as its growth and metastasis in vivo. Journal article

Smoking Cannabis Does Not Cause Cancer Of Lung or Upper Airways
CCRMG

No association between lung cancer and cannabis smoking in large study
IACM-Bulletin

Marijuana Smoking Found Non-Carcinogenic
Medical News: ATS: Marijuana Smoking Found Non-Carcinogenic - in Hematology/Oncology, Lung Cancer from MedPage Today

CLAIM #4: MARIJUANA CAUSES LUNG DISEASE
Erowid Cannabis Vault : Exposing Marijuana Myths

THC inhibits epithelial growth factor-induced lung cancer cell growth and metastasis in vivo.
http://marijuana.researchtoday.net/archive/4/7/1212.htm

Marijuana Ingredients Slow Invasion by Cervical and Lung Cancer Cells
Pot Slows Cancer in Test Tube

Marijuana May Fight Lung Tumors
Marijuana May Fight Lung Tumors

And there's more in the "Tobacco vs Cannabis" section in the link below. Apparently, although in some studies they have found that cannabis has more tars (but whose cannabis?, grown how? That mine shaft Canadian stuff? the trashy Mississippi stuff?) seemingly THC has strong anti-cancer properties that more than compensate for the carcinogens as demonstrated in the various studies. Smoking anything is bad for the lungs- vaping is the way to go!

Thanks for all the links! I suppose it is safe to say that vaporizing cannabis does not raise cancer risk.

I wonder about all the times I smoked. I imagine it is like cigarettes, after quitting smoking the risk goes down and eventually goes back to a normal level.

Yes, I agree that vaping is the way...I can't see myself ever smoking again thanks to the vap.

holy shit those are really good links thanks...
i usually write most of my papers in college about cannabis, and i have to find all of the scientific proof possible to pull a good grade.

My belief after reading about this subject for more than two full years is that vaping is the safest way to go. And if cannabis has the anti-inflammatory/infection-suppressive effects in humans that its active ingredient does in lab rats/mice, it's plausible to me that it could actually suppress the activation of the HPV virus.

TokinChick, have you been confirmed to have HPV in your throat, too? Or just in the form of cervical dysplasia so far? I wondered because, if it's been cultured out in your throat, then you're at some increased risk of mouth/throat cancers later and what you smoke or drink is probably not going to make that much difference. About a third of the forms of HPV are just that way, carcinogenic viruses. Keep a close eye on both your vulnerable internal areas there!

A history of fairly heavy drinking and cigarette smoking is a definite risk for mouth/throat and esophageal cancers.

BirdGirl,

I had cervical dysplasia but was never told I had it in my throat. They never checked. I just had a pelvic exam and all the tests they did (I don't know what they were) came back negative. Is there a way to tell if I have it in my throat? I think my HPV is in remission but I heard it can never be cured.

Would a yearly physical with the doctor looking in my throat be sufficient? Or do I need to see a specialist for screening?

I heard that oral and throat cancers can often be successfully eradicated when caught early. I just don't know how often screening should be done.

I do have a 15 year history of cigarette smoking, heavy drinking and other smoking. However I have completely stopped cigs, stopped smoking weed and only vaporize, and usually don't drink more than 3 beers per day. Sometimes less, occasionally a bit more.

Do you think that the longer I go without smoking or excessive drinking that my risk will go down?

I try to eat really healthy foods, too. Lots of vegetables.

I do vaporize every day and sometimes my throat gets sore but I figure that's normal.