STAT Medical News: Marijuana Use Not Likely to Cause Lung Cancer

May 24, 2006 <p> -- CELL PHONE ADDICTED BOYS Cell phone-dependent high school boys have small but higher rates of mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and low self-esteem compared with their peers, researchers report this week at the American Psychiatric Association meeting in Toronto. They surveyed almost 595 high school students, 552 of whom were male, on their cell phone use and then scored them on mental health tests. Along with increased phone calls and text messaging, dependent users reported that they identified themselves with their cell phone, used it persistently regardless of the situation, and had trouble controlling their cell phone use.

OFFICE BULLIES Between 10 and 36 percent of Americans experience bullying in the workplace, according to a review of two large studies. At the American Psychiatric Association meeting in Toronto, researchers revealed findings showing that co-workers and bosses are equal-opportunity bullies, but that boss bullies have a greater negative impact on their victims. Bully victims have poorer mental and physical health, increased stress and decreased job satisfaction and productivity.

MARIJUANA & LUNG CANCER People who smoke marijuana -- even heavy, long-term users -- may not have an increased risk of developing lung cancer, researchers report this week at the American Thoracic Society meeting in San Diego. A new study compared 611 people with lung cancer, 601 people with head and neck cancer, and 1,040 people without cancer. The data showed a large increase in the risk of cancer with tobacco smoking -- 20 times the risk of lung cancer for people who smoke two or more packs a day. But no increase in risk of lung cancer or head and neck cancer was detected in marijuana users.

CHEMO PREDICTOR? A new study will examine the question of whether it is possible to predict ahead of time whether a woman with breast cancer will benefit from chemotherapy. Some studies have shown that women with hormone-positive tumors are less likely to improve with chemo, and the new study will use a gene test called OncotypeDXTM, which gives a genetic profile of the tumor, to try to determine which women would most benefit from chemo. Some cancer centers already use the test for this purpose. The study will enroll about 10,000 women at more than 900 centers through the United States and Canada.

STAT is a brief look at the latest medical research and is compiled by Joanna Schaffhausen, who holds a doctorate degree in behavioral neuroscience. She works in the ABC News Medical Unit, evaluating medical studies, abstracts and news releases.