Diabetes-cancer link examined

A large study of Japanese adults has found that those with diabetes were more likely to develop cancer, especially of certain organs such as the pancreas and liver.

Men with diabetes in the study of nearly 98,000 people were 27% more likely than non-diabetics to be diagnosed with cancer, the study by the National Cancer Center in Tokyo found. Women afflicted with diabetes were also more at risk for cancer, though the association was not as clear as with men.

One theory holds that adult-onset diabetes produces excess insulin that may promote cancer cell growth in the liver or pancreas. Diabetes may also alter levels of sex hormones that could contribute to ovarian cancer in women and prostate cancer in men. The study was published in the Sept. 25 issue of the Archives of Internal Medicine.

Bonnie - this makes a strong statement for never eating a carbohydrate alone! The study is especially timely as a Journal Pediatrics study just released data that 1 in 523 Americans under 20 have diabetes.