A Dutch study has reported a link between Type 2 diabetes and an increased risk of developing breast and colon cancer according to researchers.
“The evidence is getting quite strong that there is an association between diabetes and cancer,” said Kirstin De Bruijn, lead researcher of the Erasmus University Medical Centre.
Researchers analysed and examined 20 scientific studies of more than 1.9 million people between 2007 and 2012. They discovered that diabetics have a 23 per cent higher risk of developing breast cancer and 38 per cent risk of dying from it. In addition, diabetics had a 30 per cent risk of dying from colon cancer, while 26 per cent of diabetics had a higher risk of developing colon cancer leading to death.
It is suggested by most endocrinologists that genetics may play a role in developing cancer, diabetes and obesity, but these conditions are largely due to an unhealthy diet and lifestyle.
“Cancer patients who are obese and diabetic are an already more vulnerable group of individuals…as they have an increased risk of developing complications both during and after surgery. Worldwide, the numbers of obese and subsequent diabetic patients are still increasing and it is a cause for concern that these individuals are at a higher risk of developing cancer and dying from it”, said Brujin.
“It is extremely important that prevention campaigns on obesity and diabetes are intensified and that they also focus on children, to prevent them from becoming obese and developing cancer later in life,” De Bruijn emphasized.
Exercise seems to be an important factor in diabetes and reducing the risk of complications. According to the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), “physical activity is one of the main pillars in the prevention of diabetes. Increased physical activity is important in maintaining weight loss and is linked to reduced blood pressure, reduced resting heart rate, increased insulin sensitivity, improved body composition and psychological well-being.”
It was also known that smoking, poor diet and lack of exercise and unhealthy consumption of sugars and trans fats cause up to 40% of all deaths from diabetes while smoking promotes the development of diabetes by 30 per cent the research indicates.
Typical symptoms for diabetes include increased hunger, frequent urination, thirst, excessive fatigue, blurred vision and pain or numbness in the feet or hands. In some cases, there is an inexplicable darkening of the skin around the armpits, neck, knees and knuckles which point to a risk for developing diabetes.
