Latest research: people with diabetes are more likely to develop cancer, especially advanced cancer!

According to statistics, about 537 million adults aged 20-79 have diabetes, and more than 90% are type 2 diabetes, accounting for 10.
5% of the population in this age group, which is equivalent to 1 in 10 people
.

In the eyes of many people, diabetes "just affects health and life, nothing terrible"
.
But in fact, the terrible thing about diabetes is that the complications caused by it are far more harmful than diabetes itself
.

Long-term hyperglycemia or large fluctuations in blood sugar will lead to damage to microvessels, macrovascular vessels and nervous system, endangering various tissues and organs
throughout the body.

In addition, diabetes is a risk factor
for cancer.
According to a study presented at the 13th European Breast Cancer Congress (EBCC), type 2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of cancer in the future, especially metastatic (advanced) cancer
.

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People from the World Health Organization's International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and other organizations analyzed data from the European Prospective Survey on Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) and included 400577 participants who joined the study without cancer and cardiometabolic diseases, including cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes
。

The researchers collected basic information such as the participants' height and weight; Lifestyle information such as smoking status, alcohol consumption, diet, sleep, etc.
; Family history information on cancer and cardiometabolic diseases; Health indicators such as blood pressure, blood sugar and blood lipids were measured.

In addition, during the follow-up period, the researchers also counted information on the prevalence of cancer and cardiometabolic diseases, such as age, type of cancer, stage, etc
.
Based on the popularity of cancer screening, the researchers divided cancers into two categories:

• Screening for cancer: breast and colorectal cancer;

• Non-screened cancers: All types of cancer except breast and colorectal cancer
  .
  

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During an average follow-up period of up to 15 years, a total of 11,945 participants were diagnosed with cancer
.
Of these, 35.
1% were metastatic cancers and 53.
6% were female participants
.

Of the participants with cancer, 86.
8% did not have cardiometabolic disease at the time of diagnosis; 4.
8% developed cancer after being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease; 7.
1% developed cancer after being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes; 1% develop cancer
after being diagnosed with cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes.

After removing other factors, the researchers found that having cardiometabolic disease was associated with a higher risk of metastatic cancer, particularly in people with type 2 diabetes, who were more likely to develop non-screenable cancers
.

People with type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and both type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease compared to participants without cardiometabolic disease:

• The risk of metastatic cancer was increased by 12%, 2%, and 11%, respectively;

• The risk of metastatic and non-screened cancers was increased by 26%, 7%, and 8%, respectively;

• There was no significant change in the risk of metastatic, screened cancers (breast and colorectal cancer).
  
  

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The researchers analyzed that people with cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop cancer, especially metastatic cancer, which may be related to
a variety of causes.

Cardiometabolic diseases and cancer share risk factors, including diet, alcohol consumption, exercise and obesity; High blood sugar levels associated with diabetes have been shown to increase cell signaling of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which may contribute to the development of metastatic cancer and reduce patient survival
.

In addition, studies have shown that people with type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease are less
likely to participate in cancer screening than people without cardiometabolic disease.
As a result, cancer may not be detected until it is detected
at an advanced stage.

It should be noted that the relevant mechanism has not yet been clarified, and more research and exploration
are needed.

Since the study was observational, it only showed that having a cardiometabolic disease such as type 2 diabetes was associated with a higher risk of metastatic cancer, and did not indicate a causal relationship
.
Moreover, the study also has some limitations, such as whether people with type 2 diabetes taking hypoglycemic drugs and controlling blood sugar will reduce the risk of metastatic cancer, etc.
, the study has not determined
.

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Studies have shown that cardiometabolic diseases and cancer dominate the morbidity and mortality of chronic noncommunicable diseases
.
Co-existing risk factors and ageing populations lead to an increased lifetime risk of developing both cardiometabolic diseases and cancer, leading to comorbidities
.
Comorbidities not only affect ongoing cardiometabolic disease and cancer treatments; It may also affect cancer screening, causing cancer to be detected
at an advanced stage.

The findings of this study suggest that patients with cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes have a significantly increased risk of cancer and metastatic cancer in the future.

Therefore, it is necessary to establish strategies for regular cancer-specific screening and preventive care in patients with cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes
.
Not only should they get timely cancer screenings recommended by guidelines or doctors, but they should also do more cancer screenings
depending on their situation.

Lead author Dr.
Anna Jansana of the International Agency for Research on Cancer pointed out that the stage of cancer diagnosis is an important prognostic factor
for cancer survival.
"Our findings underscore the importance of paying special attention to patients with heart, vascular or cardiometabolic diseases so that they can be detected at an earlier stage of cancer so that they can be successfully treated and reduce their risk of
death.
"