Recently, shocking studies indicate that a Type 2 Diabetes diagnosis can increase the risk of developing certain types of cancer. This is a huge cause for concern. Type 2 Diabetes is an alarming diagnosis that can have serious implications. It’s important to take any relevant preventative steps and monitor your health closely if you are already diagnosed with diabetes.
Even if you have a prediabetes diagnosis, as I do, it is very important to be aware of the risks of this disease getting worse over time. When I heard that having Type 2 Diabetes could increase my risk of developing cancer, I buckled down even more on eating correctly. I want to make sure that my A1C level does not go higher.
Type 2 Diabetes and Cancer
Type 2 diabetes and cancer are two serious illnesses that have a major global impact, afflicting millions of people across the world. While they may initially appear to be completely unrelated, recent studies have revealed an intriguing connection between them.
When it comes to cancer risks, those with type 2 diabetes have been found to be at a higher risk than those without this disease. Statistics from numerous studies show that individuals with diabetes have an 18% increased chance of dying from some form of cancer compared to the general population.
How Type 2 Diabetes can Affect Cancer Risk
Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine conducted a study on 137,800 people with type 2 diabetes in the UK who were 35 years and older. 1https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s00125-022-05854-8 They wanted to find out if there was a link between type 2 diabetes and cancer. They used a large database with information on these people to understand how diabetes might affect cancer risk.
The researchers studied the health outcomes of all participants for two decades, beginning in 1998 and concluding in 2018. During this time, they tracked if any participants were diagnosed with cancer. They also observed other conditions throughout this period to gauge the effects of their prescribed treatments and lifestyle habits.
After the trial, these results were compared to a control group with similar characteristics from the general UK population who had the same cancer(s). They used factors such as age and weight for the comparison. This comparison allowed for an accurate assessment of whether or not the outcomes were similar between both groups.
Data from the Office for National Statistics was used to determine the figures for the overall population. They incorporated both those with and without Type 2 Diabetes. This statistical information enabled a comprehensive overview of the public, including all individuals, regardless of their condition.
Read our article about what happens to your body if your A1C stays high.
The Study: Type 2 Diabetes and Cancer Mortality
Apart from type 2 diabetes, cancer is responsible for approximately one-quarter of all deaths in the United Kingdom. However, those with type 2 diabetes are 18% more likely to die from any cancer than those without it.
These findings emphasize the importance of reducing the risk of this devastating chronic illness.
Colorectal cancer and other liver, pancreatic, and endometrial cancers had a two-and-a-half-fold higher mortality rate for those diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes. Those having a history of colorectal cancer have a higher risk than those without this history.
“People with type 2 diabetes are living longer and as a result their bodies are exposed to insulin resistance for longer, which increases their risk of cancer,” says Ling. 2https://www.newscientist.com/article/2356182-type-2-diabetes-linked-with-an-increased-risk-of-dying-from-cancer/
This new study conducted in the UK has found that people with type 2 diabetes are 18% more likely to die from any type of cancer than those without diabetes.
The study found that women with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk of dying from breast cancer. This risk increased by 9% per year among younger women aged 55 or younger.
Women aged 50 or younger with type 2 diabetes may benefit from early mammograms if they are at an increased risk for breast cancer. But this could be inaccurate because the tissues in some of these young women’s breasts can be dense. This could lead to a wrong diagnosis and treatment.
Other research suggests that type 1 diabetes may increase the risk of certain cancers, but this study solely studied type 2 diabetes. This shows that more research is needed to discover how both types of diabetes affect cancer risk.
Type 2 diabetes and cancer are serious health problems that are linked in some way. While the exact reasons for this link are not yet clear, research has shown that individuals with type 2 diabetes are at an increased risk of developing certain types of cancer.
By taking steps to manage your diabetes and reduce your risk factors, you can help protect yourself from this devastating disease. By doing so, you can improve your overall health and reduce your risk of cancer and other serious health problems.
Her tragic family history of Type 2 Diabetes, and her own diagnosis of prediabetes in 2021 caused her to research more deeply, leading to a passion in educating people on how to hopefully put this disease into remission.
