More cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage if patients already have type 2 diabetes

We all are aware of the fact that lifestyle factors such as diet, alcohol intake, exercise and body weight are known to be associated with the onset of both cancer and cardiometabolic disease. High blood sugar levels that are involved in diabetes have been shown to increase cell signalling by the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), which can lead to more advanced cancers and decreased survival.

A study of close to 12000 people in six European countries has shown that people with type 2 diabetes who develop cancer are more likely to be diagnosed with advanced disease if the condition is one that is not screened for routinely. Study was presented in the 13th European Breast Cancer Conference.

Out of 7,400 cases of non-screened cancers, the researchers found that people who had pre-existing type 2 diabetes had a statistically significant 26% increased risk of being diagnosed when their cancer had metastasised, compared to people who did not have pre-existing cardiometabolic conditions. 26 cases were detected before the cancer had started to spread and 41 cases were detected after it had metastasised.

These results underline the importance of paying particular attention to patients with pre-existing diseases of the heart, blood vessels or metabolism, such as type 2 diabetes, so that signs of cancer can be identified at an earlier stage when it is more likely to be treated successfully.

Reference:

More cancers are diagnosed at an advanced stage if patients already have type 2 diabetes; EUROPEAN ORGANISATION FOR RESEARCH AND TREATMENT OF CANCER; MEETING- 13th European Breast Cancer Conference (EBCC13).