Men increase the risk of developing testicular cancer by 36 per cent by regularly smoking cannabis, a media report said quoting a US study.

US experts have listed their findings in the monthly journal of the American Medical Association, saying, "Regular marijuana use was associated with development of testicular germ cell tumours. Sustained marijuana use may increase the risk for testicular cancer."

According to the Daily Mail Online, the researchers found that long-term cannabis users were 36 per cent more likely to develop testicular cancer than others who did not use the drug.

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Those in favour of legalisation of "recreational" use of cannabis sometimes suggest that the drug's compounds can fight cancer.

Every year, around 2,400 UK men, half under the age of 35, get testicular cancer diagnosis. (IANS)