A round-up of this weeks other health stories in brief
Dope linked to testicular cancer risk
Marijuana use may increase the risk of developing testicular cancer, in particular a more aggressive form of the disease, according to a US study published yesterday.
The study of 369 men aged 18-44 with testicular cancer and 979 men in the same age bracket without the disease found that current marijuana users were 70 per cent more likely to develop it compared with non-users.
The risk appeared to be highest among men who had reported smoking marijuana for at least 10 years, used it more than once a week or started using it before age 18, the researchers wrote in the journal Cancer.
Stephen Schwartz of the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, one of the researchers, said the study was the first to explore marijuana’s possible association with testicular cancer.
The study found the increased risk appeared to be in the form called nonseminoma testicular cancer. It accounts for 40 per cent of cases and can be more aggressive and more difficult to treat, Mr Schwartz said.
Arthritis Ireland in get-fit campaign
Arthritis Ireland has launched a campaign designed for people with arthritis in aid of people with arthritis. The organisation, which claims it is the first of its kind in the Republic, encourages people to commit to get fit while raising funds for Arthritis Ireland.
People are encouraged to “sign up with a buddy, usually someone who does not have arthritis, who they can train with to keep them focused and make it more fun”, according to Arthritis Ireland.
On signing up for the walk, each walking pair will receive a tailor-made pack including a sponsorship form, personalised four-week walking plan, pedometer and wall-hanging tracker designed specifically for people with arthritis.
Each pair will set their own goal and determine whether they would aim for a target of walking 2.5km or 5km at the final walk in the Phoenix Park on Saturday, May 2nd.
Contact Arthritis Ireland on 01-6618188 or visit www.arthritisireland.ie.