Diabetes may raise cancer risk more than we realise
People living with type 2 diabetes may face a higher risk of developing cancer, and that gap appears to have widened over the past 25 years, according to a large Danish study presented at the European Association for the Study of Diabetes meeting.
People with type 2 diabetes could have a greater risk of cancer, especially over the past quarter-century, suggests a significant Danish study unveiled at a major diabetes conference. By examining nationwide health records from Denmark, researchers found cancer incidence to be 12% higher in men and 22% higher in women with type 2 diabetes compared to those without diabetes.
Much of this disparity was attributed to obesity-related cancers such as colorectal and postmenopausal breast cancer. The study also noted an uptick in lung cancer among diabetic individuals in recent years. However, these findings do not confirm diabetes as a direct cause of cancer. Instead, factors like excess weight, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity might also contribute.
For patients, the takeaway is clear: diabetes management should encompass more than just blood sugar, heart, and kidney health. Preventing cancer, maintaining a healthy weight, abstaining from smoking, and adhering to recommended cancer screenings should also be integral parts of diabetes care.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Star BD Health's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
