Diabetes and Your Feet in CT: Having Diabetes Increases Cancer Risk

Having diabetes means an increased risk for various cancers, including pancreatic and breast cancer, according to a study published last summer in MBC Public Health.
The study, led by Pian-Hong Zhan of Zhenjiang University in Zhenjiang China and colleagues found that people with Type 2 diabetes were nearly three times as likely as those without diabetes to develop pancreatic cancer. Diabetes was also associated with a greater risk of liver, kidney, and breast cancer, as well as leukemia.
Research was conducted in the Nan-Hu district of Jiaxing city, Zhenjiang province, China. Cancer cases were identified through the Diabetic Surveillance and Registry Database with the Cancer Database from 2002 to 2008.
Overall, the researchers found:

The increased risk in men for cancer was 33% and for women it was 74%.
For pancreatic cancer, the increased risk for men was 197% and for women it was 169%.
The increased risk for liver cancer was 54% and 309% for kidney cancer in men.
Women patients were 121% more likely to get breast cancer and 317% more likely to get leukemia.

This is not the first study of its kind to link diabetes with an increased risk for cancer and the association between the two is still unclear. The common risk factors for both cancer and diabetes include: age, obesity, higher intake of saturated fats and refined carbohydrates, sedentary lifestyle, tobacco smoking, and some psychology factors.
Preventing diabetes from occurring may help prevent cancers later in life.
If you are a diabetic and do not currently see a podiatrist, call our Bristol office to make an appointment.
Richard E. Ehle, DPM
Connecticut Foot Care Centers
Diabetic Foot Care in CT
Podiatrist in Bristol, CT
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