Prostate cancer affects more than 35,000 UK men each year and takes around 10,000 lives. Recent study has shown that chemical found in cannabis can fight prostate cancer. Researchers from the University of Alcala in Madrid two cannabinoids were capable of preventing cancer cells from multiplying and in some cases can kill the cells. Study team tested the effect of artificial molecules similar to two cannabinoids on prostate cancer cells grown in a lab.

Research team also tested these chemicals on mice transplanted with human prostate cells. It was found that if the cannabinoids bind to a receptor called CB2, the cancer cells stop multiplying and in some instances die.

When the CB2 receptor was switched off, the prostate cancer cells carried on dividing and growing.

The researchers claim that more research is needed to confirm effect of cannabis on prostate cancer hence they warned men against using cannabis to fight prostate cancer.

Professor Ines Diaz-Laviada, study author at the University of Alcala, said: "These chemicals can stop the division and growth of prostate cancer cells and could become a target for new research into potential drugs to treat prostate cancer."