For some time, type 2 diabetes has been linked to pancreatic cancer, as well as other types of cancer. It should come as no surprise that poorly controlled blood sugar levels are linked to pancreatic cancer and, to a lesser extent, different types of cancer. That was the conclusion reached by a group of scientists who were studying type 2 diabetes and cancer at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel and at various other research facilities in Israel and the United States.
Their study, published in October 2018 in the journal cancer epidemiology, it included 440,000 participants diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and aged 21 to 89 years. The risk of developing the following types of cancer was compared with HbA1c levels over eight years…
- pancreatic,
- colon,
- mother,
- lung,
- prostate,
- the liver, and
- all sites
In 26,887 or 6 percent of the participants, cancer was diagnosed. For most sites, there was a weak link between HbA1c levels and cancer risk, but the pancreas was an exception. In those participants with type 2 diabetes with high HbA1c levels, there was a 26 to 51 percent higher risk of developing cancer of the pancreas.
From the above results, the researchers suggested that early signs of cancer in the pancreas could result in high HbA1c levels. Additional research could resolve the cause-and-effect dilemma.
A study in which people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes were required to be screened for pancreatic cancer, they had to be cancer-free at study enrollment. They might then be re-examined from time to time for any signs of pancreatic cancer, and their risk of developing the disease compared with their HbA1c levels.
Whether type 2 diabetes causes pancreatic cancer or pancreatic cancer causes type 2 diabetes, people with type 2 diabetes should be aware of the signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer…
- a persistent low-grade fever with no apparent cause,
- tiredness,
- little appetite,
- weight loss without a known cause,
- abdominal or back pain,
- dark urine,
- yellow skin and white eyes,
- nausea and vomiting,
- enlarged gallbladder,
- enlarged liver and
- blood clots
According to the American Cancer Society, Pancreatic cancer is related to age…
- the vast majority of patients are older than 45 years, and the majority are 65 years or older.
- the average age of diagnosis is 71 years.
Being overweight, obese, smoking, being exposed to a specific chemical used in dry cleaning, and metalworking all increase your risk.
Pancreatic cancer can sometimes be cured surgically if caught early. When surgery is not an option, chemotherapy is the next line of treatment.
