A study being presented at Annual Meeting of The European Association for the Study of Diabetes EASD in Milan, Italy, has found people with type 2 diabetes T2D have higher risk of developing cancer, with cancer incidence rising more among people with T2D than those without diabetes over past 25 years, largely driven by obesity-related cancers.
Based on data from entire adult population of Denmark, study found overall cancer incidence was 12% higher among men with T2D and 22% higher among women with T2D compared with those without diabetes in most recent period 2010–2022 — corresponding differences in 1996–2009 were 9% and 15%.
“Our findings underline growing cancer burden among people with T2D and highlight need to prioritise cancer prevention and early detection as part of long-term diabetes care,” said Dr Tinne Laurberg from Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital in Denmark, who led research.
“This is especially important for common obesity-related cancers, such as colorectal and postmenopausal breast cancer, for which screening programmes already exist in many countries. We must ensure that people with T2D benefit fully from these established programmes by encouraging greater participation.”
Why Cancer Linked To Type 2 Diabetes – Blood Sugar Insulin Inflammation
Cancer is major health condition associated with T2D, with prolonged exposure to high blood sugar and insulin levels, as well as insulin resistance and ongoing inflammation, potentially contributing to cancer development.
Over past decade, cancer has become leading cause of death among people with T2D in Denmark and other high-income countries. This makes it important to understand how incidence of different types of cancer has changed over time. However, population-level data on long-term cancer incidence trends in individuals with and without T2D are scarce.
For study, researchers used data from nationwide health registries to compare occurrence of new obesity-related and non-obesity-related cancers among adults aged 18 and over with and without T2D living in Denmark between 1996 and 2022.
Participants were considered to have no diabetes until they were diagnosed with T2D, after which they were classified as having T2D. Follow-up began when participants turned 18, immigrated to Denmark or on 1 January 1996 whichever occurred later, and continued until diagnosed with cancer, emigrated, died, or reached 31 December 2022.
75,540 Cancers In T2D Group – Obesity-Related Cancers Drive Rise
During 27 years of follow-up, 75,540 first cancers were identified among individuals with T2D, and 635,323 among individuals without diabetes. Higher incidence among people with T2D is particularly evident for obesity-related cancers, which were 45% higher in men and 30% higher in women compared to those without diabetes in 2010-2022 — corresponding differences in 1996–2009 were 34% and 23%, respectively.
However, patterns differ substantially by sex and cancer type. Among most common obesity-related cancers, postmenopausal breast cancer — most common cancer among women — had 8% higher incidence in women with T2D in 2010–2022. Similarly, colorectal cancer, third most common cancer in both sexes, had 17% higher incidence in men and 14% higher incidence in women with T2D.
Patterns also differed for common cancers not classified as obesity-related. For example, prostate cancer, most common cancer among men, had 19% lower incidence among men with T2D compared with those without diabetes in 2010–2022. In contrast, lung cancer, second most common cancer in both sexes, was 23% higher in men and 25% higher in women with T2D during this period. Difference was particularly notable in women, with incidence 12% lower among those with T2D than those without diabetes in 1996–2009, compared with 25% higher in 2010–2022.
Cancer Needs Greater Attention As Diabetes Complication
According to Dr Laurberg, “These findings support greater recognition of cancer as major long-term complication of T2D. Cardiovascular and kidney disease prevention remains key priority in diabetes care. However, as outcomes for these complications improve, cancer may require greater attention as part of long-term care of people with type 2 diabetes. Our results underline importance of considering cancer prevention and early detection alongside other established aspects of diabetes care, particularly for common cancers such as colorectal, lung, and breast cancer.”
Q&A
Q: Does type 2 diabetes increase cancer risk according to Danish study?
A: Yes, nationwide Denmark 1996-2022 data presented at EASD Milan found overall cancer 12% higher in men and 22% higher in women with T2D in 2010-2022 vs 9% and 15% in 1996-2009, largely driven by obesity-related cancers.
Q: Which cancers are higher in people with type 2 diabetes?
A: Obesity-related cancers 45% higher in men 30% higher in women in 2010-2022; colorectal 17% higher men 14% women, postmenopausal breast 8% higher women, lung 23% higher men 25% higher women; prostate 19% lower in men with T2D.
Q: Why is cancer rising more in diabetes over 25 years?
A: Prolonged high blood sugar, insulin levels, insulin resistance, ongoing inflammation plus obesity contribute; as cardiovascular and kidney outcomes improve, cancer becomes leading cause of death in T2D in Denmark and high-income countries.
FAQ
1. How large was Danish diabetes cancer study?
Entire adult population Denmark 1996-2022, 27 years follow-up, 75,540 first cancers in T2D and 635,323 without diabetes, presented at EASD Annual Meeting Milan Sept 28-Oct 2.
2. Who led research?
Dr Tinne Laurberg from Steno Diabetes Center Aarhus, Aarhus University Hospital Denmark, using nationwide health registries.
3. What does 45% and 30% higher obesity-related cancer mean?
In 2010-2022 obesity-related cancers 45% higher incidence in men with T2D and 30% higher in women vs without diabetes, up from 34% and 23% in 1996-2009, showing widening gap.
4. Why prostate cancer lower in men with diabetes?
Study found prostate most common cancer in men had 19% lower incidence in men with T2D in 2010-2022; reasons not fully clear, may involve hormonal screening differences, needs further research.
5. What should people with T2D do for cancer prevention?
Lead author urges prioritize cancer prevention early detection as part of long-term diabetes care and encourage full participation in existing screening programmes for colorectal and postmenopausal breast cancer, plus lung cancer awareness.
Disclaimer; This article for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals for diabetes management, cancer screening, prevention, and early detection.
