Guest Post: Does Diabetes Increase Your Risks of Cancer?

Guest Post: Does Diabetes Increase Your Risks of Cancer?

By Jillian S. McKee

Hi all, today's post is thanks to Jillian S. McKee (Freelance writer) who has kindly prepared it for the readers of this blog. It is really good and will be an eye opener for many of the readers. If you have any questions about this post you can contact Jillian: JilliansMckee@gmail.com
And don't forget to check the links ;-) ENJOY!

Diabetes and cancer are to of the most common and most deadly diseases in the United States. Most people think of the two as entirely separate conditions. But research suggests that there may be a link between the diseases. The connection between diabetes and mesothelioma, kidney, liver and pancreatic cancers is especially pronounced, although diabetes remains prevalent in patients diagnosed with other types of cancer. For example, the risk of colon, breast and bladder cancer is 20 to 50 percent higher in diabetics than it is in those without diabetes. The risk of dying from cancer also goes up for diabetics, which is why the mesothelioma life expectancy remains grim.

While there is a strong link between diabetes and cancer, there is little evidence supporting the common assertion that diabetes causes cancer. Many suggest that obesity-a risk factor for both diseases-is the true culprit. But again, the evidence suggests that obesity alone cannot account for the higher rate of cancer in those with diabetes. For example, a 2005 study conducted in South Korea reported a significantly increased risk of cancer in diabetes patients, even though most of the patients were not obese or even overweight.

Some researchers believe that certain types of cancers are more likely to develop in diabetes patients with excess insulin. If this is true, diabetic patients will not necessarily end up with cancer at some point. Diabetic patients can minimize the risk of cancer by taking steps to control their condition. Preventative measures include a healthy diet, frequent exercise and carefully following the physician's instructions. Additionally, the link between diabetes and cancer suggests that those with diabetes should be screened for cancer more regularly than the general population.

Other measures for lowering the risk of diabetes are being explored as well. A 2009 study published in "Diabetologia" investigated the impact of glucose-lowering therapies on cancer risk in diabetic patients. Treatments in this study included metphormin monotherapy, sulfonylure monotherapy and a combined therapy involving both metphormin and sulfonylure.

There may be mounting evidence of a connection between diabetes and cancer, but the reason behind that link remains unclear. But given the rising rates of both diabetes and cancer in the general population, it is essential that researchers continue to study this important health issue.