Warning as women with type 2 diabetes are at a ‘greater risk of dying from cancer’
WOMEN who have type 2 diabetes are at a ‘greater risk of dying from cancer’, experts have revealed.
There are around 3.8 million people living with a diagnosis of diabetes in the UK, 90 per cent of which have type 2.
By 2030, this number is set to increase to 5.5million, data from Diabetes UK states.
Statistics show that in general, more men have the condition than women.
Data from Diabetes UK states that for 2020/21 over 1.6 million women were living with type 2.
However, experts at the University of Leicester said cancer mortality in those with the illness is 18 per cent higher than those who are not living with diabetes.
Women living with type 2 are also nine per cent more likely to die from breast cancer, and 2.4 times more likely to die from bowel cancer.
Cancer mortality in people with diabetes was also around double that in the general population for diabetes-related cancers including liver, pancreatic and endometrial.
The authors of the paper, published in Diabetologia said: “Our findings underline the growing cancer burden in people with type 2 diabetes, particularly in older individuals.”
Dr Suping Ling, of the Leicester Real World Evidence Unit said it also highlights the need to prioritise cancer prevention, research and early detection and management in women.
The experts looked at data from 137,804 individuals with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes with a median follow-up of 8.4 years.
They found that all-cause mortality rates decreased at all ages between 1998 and 2018.
All cancer rates, aside from non-melanoma skin cancer, also decreased for 55-year-olds by 1.4 per cent and 65-year-olds by 0.2 per cent, but increased for 75-year-olds.
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes you need to know
The NHS states that most people have type 2 diabetes without realising.
This is because the symptoms won’t always make you feel unwell.
The key signs to look out for are:
- peeing more than usual, particularly at night
- feeling thirsty all the time
- feeling very tired
- losing weight without trying to
- itching around your penis or vagina, or repeatedly getting thrush
- cuts or wounds taking longer to heal
- blurred vision
If you’re worried about your symptoms see your GP.
In the event of an emergency, always call 999 or visit your nearest A&E department.
The authors stated that the decrease in cardiovascular issues is due to successful treatments in the last decades, which means people are living longer and have a greater chance of experiencing other conditions and therefore dying from other causes, including cancer.
It’s not the first time a link has been made between diabetes and cancer.
A study published in 2017 found that almost 21,000 cases of cancer are caused because patients have diabetes.
That’s while a paper from 2022 found that type 2 diabetes raises the risk of of cancers and heart and kidney diseases and brings them on sooner.
Dr Lucy Chambers, Head of Research Communications at Diabetes UK said that if you’re living with type 2 diabetes, over time, high blood glucose, blood pressure and blood fat levels can cause serious long-term damage to the body, including to the eyes, heart, nerves and kidneys.
“Type 2 diabetes is also linked to increased risk of developing certain types of cancer, and both conditions can have common risk factors.
“This research indicates that while people with type 2 diabetes in the UK tend to be living longer, deaths from some type of cancers appear to be increasing, particularly in older people with type 2 diabetes.
“These findings highlight the need for further research into cancer causes and prevention in this population.”
She added that if you’re living with diabetes and are worried about your risk of developing other conditions/cancer, there is support available on Diabetes UK’s Helpline on 0345 123 2399, or from your healthcare team.