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What is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. This growth may lead to metastasis, which is the invasion of adjacent tissue and infiltration beyond the lungs. The vast majority of primary lung cancers are carcinomas of the lung, derived from epithelial cells. Lung cancer, the most common cause of cancer-related death in men and the second most common in women (after breast cancer), is responsible for 1.3 million deaths worldwide annually. The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, coughing (including coughing up blood), and weight loss.

(Wikipedia)

Marijuana Facts and Resources:

• Antineoplastic activity of cannabinoids
  “THC administered daily for 10 days significantly inhibited Friend leukemia virus-induced splenomegaly by 71% at 200 mg/kg as compared to 90.2% for actinomycin D.”
• Delta(9)-Tetrahydrocannabinol inhibits epithelial growth factor-induced lung cancer cell migration
  “Our study suggests that cannabinoids like THC should be explored as novel therapeutic molecules in controlling the growth and metastasis of certain lung cancers.”
• Smoking Cannabis Does Not Cause Cancer Of Lung or Upper Airways
  “Marijuana smoking —“even heavy longterm use”— does not cause cancer of the lung, upper airways, or esophagus, Donald Tashkin, MD, reported at this year’s meeting of the International Cannabinoid Research Society.”
• No association between lung cancer and cannabis smoking in large study
  “The study with 611 lung cancer patients and 1,040 healthy controls as well as 601 patients with cancer in the head or neck region found no increased risk for lung cancer even after heavy long-term use of cannabis.”
• Marijuana Smoking Found Non-Carcinogenic
  “Smoking marijuana does not appear to increase the risk of lung cancer or head-and-neck malignancies, even among heavy users, researchers reported here.”
• Claim #4: Marijuana Causes Lung Disease
  “In an epidemiological survey, approximately 1200 subjects gave information on smoking and pulmonary function at two-year intervals. A large percentage of the subjects underwent pulmonary function testing. Although a small group who reported previous marijuana smoking had significant pulmonary abnormalities, current marijuana smokers had no significant reduction in any pulmonary functions.”
• Marijuana Ingredients Slow Invasion by Cervical and Lung Cancer Cells
  “THC and another marijuana-derived compound slow the spread of cervical and lung cancers, test-tube studies suggest.”
• Marijuana May Fight Lung Tumors
  “In lab and mouse studies, the compound, known as THC, cut lung tumor growth in half and helped prevent the cancer from spreading, says Anju Preet, PhD, a Harvard University researcher in Boston who tested the chemical.”
• Anti-Tumor Effects
  “Emerging research indicates that cannabinoids may help protect against the development of certain types of tumors.”