Unfortunately, as a person with diabetes, the risk of developing cancer is higher than that of people without diabetes. This is especially true for women.
As if it’s not enough for people with diabetes to worry, research on hyperglycemia levels and cancer risk continues to provide a clear link between the two.
This article explains why diabetes increases the risk of developing cancer, which types of cancer are likely to develop diabetics, whether diabetic medications are most likely to increase risk, and which risk factors can be managed.
Why diabetes increases the risk of developing cancer
The short answer is simple. Excess glucose in the bloodstream causes a variety of problems with how the body functions. Some of the problems you already know very well, such as retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy, yeast infections.
While cancer is not considered a “complication” of suffering from diabetes, studies have certainly proven that it benefits from inflammation and higher blood sugar levels than usual.
One theory is that your persistent hyperglycemia levels actually damage DNA and cells throughout your body. Cancer occurs when cells grow and are damaged, and the higher blood sugar levels can increase both the damage and growth rate of damaged cells that have become cancerous.
Dana Farber Cancer Institute (DFCI) adds that the link between cancer and diabetes remains primarily a mystery, but there are many theories.
“The researchers suggested that links between the two diseases could be due to shared risk factors such as aging, overweight, obesity, diet, physical activity, alcohol and smoking.”
DFCI adds that excessive sugars, insulin resistance, higher levels of insulin, and abnormal amounts of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in the blood, and higher levels of inflammation, can all play a role in metabolic abnormalities that increase cancer development and growth.
High risk of certain types of cancer
2010 Report published by American Diabetes Association (ADA) We found that patients with type 2 diabetes are twice as likely to develop cancer of the liver, pancreas, and endometrium (lining of the uterus).
We also found a prominent, but fewer links between diabetes and cancer in the colon, rectum, breast and bladder.
Conversely, diabetic men are at a lower risk of developing prostate cancer.
The risk of cancer is higher in women
2016 Report published from Diabetes They also concluded that women with diabetes are at a higher risk of cancer than men with diabetes.
Compared to non-diabetic women, diabetic women are at a 27% higher risk of cancer.
Diabetic men are at 19% higher risk of cancer compared to their non-diabetic counterparts.
A consistent theory of why women pose a higher risk of cancer than men is because women are diagnosed (and treated) at least two years later than men. In other words, they had a higher period of time with higher blood sugar levels.
The second theory is that treatment and medication regimen for diabetics are less aggressive than treatment methods for men. This means that women’s blood sugar levels will again be high for a long time.
A 2015 survey published by the ADA found that women were less likely to adhere to drug plans than men. Again, this means their overall blood sugar levels are higher for longer, causing cell damage and inflammation.
Do diabetes medications increase the risk of cancer?
This is a heated and debated issue and there is no clear conclusion.
ADA’s 2010 Consensus Report We closely looked at the various medications used to treat diabetes and their impact on patients’ risk of developing cancer.
Metformin
Metformin, for example, has been practically demonstrated in a variety of studies to actually reduce the risk of cancer in patients. One study even suggested that metformin can “selectively kill” cancer stem cells, and could in fact improve the effectiveness of breast cancer treatment in patients.
Studies on metformin and cancer suggest that it reduces the risk of cancer-related death in patients and improves overall cancer outcome.
Research into the positive effects of metformin on breast cancer treatment is continuing due to promising results so far.
Sulfonylurea
This class of medications include the brand names Glipizide and Glimiperide. In a small study, patients taking this type of diabetes medication were at a higher risk of cancer or cancer-related death compared to patients taking other diabetes medications.
The results were still considered inconclusive, as other drugs contained metformin. This means that the patient was taking it and could not determine whether the patient was at a higher risk of cancer or death Sulfonyrus, or because it was do not have Take metformin.
With metformin evidence that it reduces the risk of cancer and improves cancer treatment outcomes, it is nearly impossible to distinguish between how other diabetic drugs are compared without better control over these variables.
GLP-1 receptor agonists
This class of medication has become increasingly popular because it helps patients lose weight in addition to improving glycemic control. Brands include Trulicity, Ozempic, Victoza, Rybelsus and Bydureon.
At first glance, it appears that they are concerned that the FDA has added a “black box warning” to most agents in this class. Manufacturers should say there is a potential risk of thyroid tumors, including thyroid cancer.
But even in the case of thyroid cancer, most endocrinologists don’t consider this a real human risk, according to David Ahn, PhD, program director at the Mary & Dick Allen Diabetes Center.
This is because concerns have been seen only in mouse/rat studies and despite the introduction of this class of drug therapy in 2005, it has not been demonstrated in human data.
Insulin
There has been a lot of research and skepticism about manufactured insulin and cancer, but none has demonstrated conclusive evidence that it increases the risk of cancer in patients.
For example, insulin glargine was once attracting attention for potentially increasing the risk of cancer in patients; Research was done do not have Supports theory. To date, there is no solid evidence to suggest that insulin produced causes cancer.
Risk factors for cancer that you can’t control
Diabetes aside, you Race, gender, age According to the ADA 2010, all factors affecting the risk of people developing cancer that you simply can’t change Consensus Report.
Your race – African Americans have the highest rates of cancer diagnosis and the highest rate of cancer mortality.
Your gender – Overall, men (sum of diabetes and non-diabetics) are at a higher risk of developing cancer than women.
Your age -78% of all new cancer diagnoses are in people over the age of 55.
Cancer risk factors you can manage
If your body mass index (BMI), smoking, your diet, exercise habits, and how often you develop cancer are all important risk factors can Please do something.
Your bmi
BMIs above 25 have been proven to increase the risk of cancer. The ideal BMI is 18.5-25.
Tobacco use
Tobacco use has been identified as the cause of 71% of all deaths caused by cancerous trachea, bronchi and lungs. (By the way, smoking also significantly increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes!)
What you eat
It is not surprising that diets consisting of most whole foods (lean sources of fruits, vegetables and protein) are associated with a low risk of cancer. This doesn’t mean you’re expected to eat a 100% perfect meal, but it’s always a good idea to aim for a diet that’s at least 80% healthy option.
How active you are
Obtaining regular activity (exercise) has been proven to reduce the risk of certain cancers and completely prevent prostate and lung cancer. And of course, that’s an important part of diabetes management!
How much alcohol do you drink?
Drinking alcohol regularly increases women’s risk of cancer, including breast cancer, even in reasonable amounts.
How to manage diabetes
Lastly, how to manage diabetes is one of the most valuable opportunities to reduce your risk of developing cancer. When you are facing persistently high blood sugar levels, it can feel overwhelming.
Trying to improve your diet or exercise can feel like an impossible challenge if it’s something you’ve struggled for years or decades.
First, work with your doctor to reduce pressure by lowering blood sugar levels with the help of medication. after that Start working on habits that help reduce insulin resistance and lower blood sugar levels. The first and most important part is lowering your blood sugar levels to a healthy range.
A cancer diagnosis is an overwhelming moment in anyone’s life. It can be frightening for those who are already facing the challenge of living with diabetes. By taking on the factors can Managing in your life can improve your overall diabetes health while significantly reducing your risk of cancer. Don’t wait. Let’s start today.
