Back in 2020, I posted an updated blog on the laboratory studies of potential anti-tumor properties of cannabis (aka marijuana, pot, weed, grass etc.) against prostate cancer (PCa). However, to the best of my knowledge there have been no human clinical trials.
Now there’s a step toward connecting marijuana use with PCa occurrence. NOTE: this is not the same as a human clinical trial designed to study the impact of cannabis on prostate cancer tumors in the body; such a study would require invasive means to extract tissues from the prostate (biopsy or surgery). In this case, I’m writing about a population study that examined data on self-reported marijuana use and health records of diagnosed PCa cases.
The title of the study is “Marijuana use may be associated with reduced prevalence of prostate cancer: A cross-sectional study using the national survey on drug use and health database.”[i] It was presented at the 2024 ASCO Genitourinary Cancers Symposium by Turab Mohammed, first author of the analysis done by a team from the Moffitt Cancer Center (Tampa, FL).
The authors gathered information on 2503 participants accrued from 2002 to 2020. Based on their self reports, they were either marijuana (MJ) users or non-users (current, former, or never used). The authors had access to each participant’s age, number of days used in the past 30 days. Other MJ-related variables evaluated: age at first use, number of days used in the past 30 days, use of medical MJ, legality of MJ use in state of residence. Additional factors included race/ethnicity, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption, etc.
The authors reported the following findings:
Prevalence of PC was significantly lower among current MJ users, and former users in comparison to non-users. Older MJ users (≥ 65) had significantly lower prevalence of PC compared to nonusers. A similar significant reduction was documented among non-Hispanic white MJ users when compared to nonusers.[ii]
In summary, they concluded that these findings support a link between marijuana use and low prevalence of PCa, especially in non-Hispanic whites. They call for future prospective studies “using regulatory approved medical MJ.”[iii]
I suspect that in calling for more research, they specify regulatory approved medical marijuana in order to control for uniform quality of the substance, since there are so many growers of recreational MJ who experiment with new hybrids, etc. As of this writing, cannabis is legal in 38 of 50 states for medical use and 24 states for recreational use. I am not writing to endorse marijuana use, which is a private decision and I hope those who use it do so responsibly. That said, the thought of anything that helps reduce the incidence of PCa makes me a little “high” on good feelings.
NOTE: This content is solely for purposes of information and does not substitute for diagnostic or medical advice. Talk to your doctor if you are experiencing pelvic pain, or have any other health concerns or questions of a personal medical nature.
References
[i] Mohammed TJ, Yu J, Qiao Y, Kim Y et al. Marijuana use may be associated with reduced prevalence of prostate cancer: A cross-sectional study using the national survey on drug use and health database. J Clin Oncol 42, 2024 (suppl 4; abstr 101). https://meetings.asco.org/abstracts-presentations/230046
[ii] Ibid.
[iii] Ibid.
About Dr. Dan Sperling
Dan Sperling, MD, DABR, is a board certified radiologist who is globally recognized as a leader in multiparametric MRI for the detection and diagnosis of a range of disease conditions. As Medical Director of the Sperling Prostate Center, Sperling Medical Group and Sperling Neurosurgery Associates, he and his team are on the leading edge of significant change in medical practice. He is the co-author of the new patient book Redefining Prostate Cancer, and is a contributing author on over 25 published studies. For more information, contact the Sperling Prostate Center.
