Recent studies have found a disturbing connection. For individuals recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, their cancer risk is elevated for more aggressive types, like colorectal, pancreatic, and liver cancer. This new research looked at claims data from over 23,000 participants who developed new-onset type 2 diabetes and more than 71,000 matched individuals without the condition. It provides important new information on the effect of diabetes on cancer risk.
These findings suggest this effect of type 2 diabetes on cancer risk is stronger in men compared to women. This risk is affected by weight, nutrition, and lack of exercise, independent of BMI. That research, which tracked U.K. Biobank participants over an average of five years, found that risk increased with greater exposure. Its focus on the difficult interplay of type 2 diabetes and obesity with cancer is particularly timely.
Owen Tipping, a researcher at the University of Manchester who co-led the study, highlighted the significance of these findings. He pointed out that type 2 diabetes likely increases cancer risk independent from its association with obesity. He pointed out that knowing more about this relationship is key to designing better screening and prevention strategies.
“We decided to look at type 2 diabetes and obesity-related cancers because obesity has strong evidence for a causal association with at least 13 cancer types, but this is not so clear for type 2 diabetes.” – Owen Tipping, BSc
The 2001 study, conducted by a Harvard team, found that risk of colorectal cancer increased by 27% for men and 34% for women. At the same time, liver cancer risk quadrupled for men and quintupled for women. In other words, the risk of pancreatic cancer almost doubled for women and increased by 74% for men.
That’s because type 2 diabetes is a different beast with different underlying mechanisms than insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes. Though type 1 is exclusively an autoimmune disease, type 2 is historically related to lifestyle choices. Still, as of 2021, approximately 10.5% of adults globally were living with diabetes. Of those there, about 90% had developed type 2 diabetes.
Tipping reported that obesity and type 2 diabetes are known risk factors for a number of cancers. The simultaneous presence of all these issues makes it harder to figure out what caused this cancer. Is it the type 2 diabetes per se, or are those increased risks largely attributable to obesity?
“Type 2 diabetes and obesity are associated with similar cancers, and these conditions also often co-exist, making it difficult to decipher whether type 2 diabetes causes cancer or whether it’s due to coexisting obesity.” – Owen Tipping, BSc
The research highlights that alternative mechanisms may play a role in the formation of certain cancers related to type 2 diabetes. Scientists are currently investigating these possible links. Maybe hyperinsulinemia (high insulin levels), inflammation, or yes, even the microbiome. To Tipping, this all underscored the need for more research to identify and examine these pathways.
“The study suggests and supports that there are other mechanisms involved in the development of certain cancers, such as hyperinsulinemia, inflammation, the microbiome, and that there are several possible causes other than those related to obesity.” – Owen Tipping, BSc
In light of these findings, Tipping argues for increased cancer screening measures for those with type 2 diabetes. Identifying these individuals earlier than we do today would manifestly save the lives of those at increased risk.
“Cancer screening for people living with type 2 diabetes might be beneficial to detect these cancers early.” – Owen Tipping, BSc
Even specialists in the field have called for more prospective studies. They hope to use it to help better track patients who have both obesity and type 2 diabetes. They stress the necessity of measuring inflammatory markers and other relevant biomarkers to better understand the complexities of this relationship.
“I think that there need to be more prospective studies looking at patients that are obese that have type 2 diabetes versus those that don’t and monitoring them prospectively.” – Bilchik
These important results underscore the increased cancer risk associated with type 2 diabetes. Health professionals call for a more judicious approach.
“It’s interesting, but I wouldn’t go out and tell every type 2 diabetic they’re at increased risk for X number of cancers and to worry about that.” – Jacoub
Leave a Reply