Long-term study links Type 2 diabetes with cancer

A 27-year Danish study has revealed that women with Type 2 diabetes are nearly twice as likely as men with the same condition to develop cancer during their lifetime. The research, conducted between 1996 and 2022 across the entire adult population of Denmark, found cancer incidence to be 12% higher in men and 22% higher in women with Type 2 diabetes compared to non-diabetic individuals.

Obesity-related cancers were particularly prevalent, being 45% more common in men and 30% more common in women with diabetes between 2010 and 2022. Dr. Tinne Laurberg, leading the study from the Steno Diabetes Centre at Aarhus University Hospital, emphasized the need to prioritize cancer prevention and early detection as part of long-term diabetes care, especially for common obesity-related cancers that have established screening programs.

Cancer has become the leading cause of death among people with Type 2 diabetes in Denmark since 2016. In the UAE, around 1.27 million adults have diabetes, with diabetes and cancer among the top five most common causes of death. Dr. Mohamad Azzam Ziade, a consultant oncologist, noted the complex relationship between diabetes and cancer, influenced by several factors, but stressed that proactive measures such as managing diabetes, maintaining a healthy weight, staying active, and adhering to cancer screening recommendations can support long-term health.