Insulin therapy increases pancreatic cancer risk
Insulin therapy increases the risk of pancreatic cancer and overall cancer, according to research from the University of Maryland, Baltimore.
Researcher Zhiqiang Lu studied data from more than 230,000 patients in the United Kingdom on antidiabetic therapy. Lu found that the use of insulin alone or in combination with other oral agents was associated with an increased risk of cancer.
In particular, use of insulin alone increased the risk for pancreatic cancer by 88 percent. The study found that it increased the risk of colorectal cancer as well.
In addition, insulin with oral agents increased the risk of pancreatic cancer by 133 percent.
Lu explored the role of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) value in modifying the risk. HbA1c is a lab test that shows the average amount of glucose in the blood over three months.
His analysis showed that HbA1c appears to be a risk factor for pancreatic cancer, with abnormal levels increasing the risk by 38 percent. The risk posed by HbA1c value varies among different types of cancer.
Other factors that increase the risk of pancreatic cancer include premixed and intermediate-acting insulin, compared to short-acting insulin.
Diabetes, cancer link
It’s well documented that people with diabetes are at higher risk for some cancers than people without diabetes. Cancers of the pancreas, colon, breast, liver, uterus, and bladder occur more frequently in people with type 2 diabetes, according to Mayo Clinic.
Potential reasons for the link between diabetes and cancer include shared risk factors, hyperglycemia, and other metabolic abnormalities of type 2 diabetes that cause cancer, according to Mayo Clinic.
Shared risk factors include advanced age, obesity and overweight, physical inactivity, unhealthy diet, being male, excessive alcohol intake, ethnicity, and tobacco smoking.
Lower your risk
Losing weight is one recommendation by American Diabetes Association to lower the risk of cancer. Weight loss of just 7 percent of total weight has shown to make a significant difference in a person’s cancer risk.
Eating a healthy diet with plenty of fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grains is another recommendation. Low-fat or non-fat dairy products and lean meats are also sensible choices. Watching portion sizes is crucial.
Individuals should set a goal of getting physical activity 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week, according to American Diabetes Association.
Finally, quitting smoking can lower the risk of developing cancer.
Sources: University of Maryland, Mayo Clinic, American Diabetes Association
More Articles
With its slightly nutty flavor, chewy texture, and nutritional punch farro is an ancient whole grain worth a place in our pantry.
Farro...
Having diabetes is cause for concern, however it doesn’t mean that you need to eliminate all of your favorite foods from your diet completely....
With diabetes becoming more of an epidemic each and every day, being knowledgeable about the disease, its effects on the body as well as ways to...
If you’re a diabetic or live with one, it can be tough trying to figure out the best foods to eat because your priority is to control your blood...
In this post, I will show you the 10 best ice creams for diabetics.
When you think of sweetened foods that a diabetic shouldn’t consume,...
More Articles
If you’re living with diabetes, snacking is a necessity because going for more than 3-4 hours without eating can be detrimental to your health....
For diabetics, choosing healthy snacks can be a daunting task.
A good rule of thumb is to pick out snacks that are rich in protein, fiber,...
According to information available through the National Institutes of Health, there’s an estimated 462 million people in the world who are...
Eleven Clinical Studies
After eleven clinical studies and 300,000 participants, researcher Vasanti Malik and her team of researchers...
Diabetic women often have a harder time losing weight than non-diabetic women. A study funded by Jenny Craig proved that diabetic women have an...
Many recent studies have proved that magnesium levels are lower in patients with diabetes than in non-diabetics. This magnesium...
Fluid retention, also known as edema, is a problem that affects many diabetics, especially those with type 2 diabetes...
Some of us might be thrilled if we could manage our blood sugar by sitting in a hot tub or sauna, instead of working up a sweat biking, or using...
Cooking and baking with the ancient cereal grain sorghum has health benefits for people with diabetes, and those with weight control issues....
When it comes to certain foods, there are always questions as to whether or not a diabetic can have them without...
Matcha tea is a rich, creamy, full-bodied beverage with amazing nutritional properties that address several diabetes health concerns.
The...
Salads are good example of foods that type 2 diabetics can enjoy with relatively low guilt. With the right greens and other elements added, salad...
Remaining gainfully employed is important to many people. Those who live with any form of diabetes may find that some lines of work are more...
Learning that you have diabetes does mean making some lifestyle changes. One of the areas that needs attention is your diet. Most people find that...
One of the more challenging aspects of life as a type 2 diabetic is managing your diet. There’s often the temptation to avoid certain foods...