Diabetes and Breast Cancer Risk

By Dr. Kathleen Ruddy

Diabetes and breast cancer are two diseases that have had a profound impact on health in the world. As medical technology advances, researchers have been able to find out just what links these two diseases. Sugar problems in diabetes patients has been known to have an effect on occurrence of some types of cancer, with some findings leaning towards breast cancer as one of them. Regardless of the research, one thing is clear, finding the relationship between the two is crucial if strides are to made in treating these diseases.

What are the Risk Factors?

The research has been extensive, and the findings conclusive enough to show that there are common factors that are present in diabetes and breast cancer patients. These risk factors are obesity, blood sugar issues, poor diet, overuse of alcohol, smoking, and physical activity (or rather lack of it).

Can These Factors be Controlled?

This has been a prevalent question with many who inquire about either disease. For certain, factors like diet, alcohol and tobacco use, and physical activity can be regulated by the individual. However, other factors exist that are sometimes beyond the scope of human control. Age, race, and family history cannot be controlled in any case, and usually play a big role in calculating the odds of being affected by either disease.

DID YOU KNOW?

Women with Type 2 diabetes are at a much higher risk of getting breast cancer. While earlier research focused on postmenopausal women with diabetes, recent studies have shown that younger women are also at risk too.

How Much Does Being Overweight Play a Role?

Studies that have been conducted over a long time have indicated that the association between breast cancer and diabetes, specifically Type 2 diabetes, is a strong one. Having too much weight, especially around the waist, increases the odds of breast cancer by up to 30 percent. Most diabetes cases are linked to weight issues, making it a common thread in both cases.

What can Concerned Individuals do Then?

By virtue of being female, women are more exposed to the hormone estrogen which increases their risk of developing breast cancer. Now, those who are concerned about their risk factors for both diabetes and breast cancer are advised to have their hemoglobin levels checked by a doctor. Hemoglobin levels indicate the risk of diabetes, or in some cases how well it is being managed.

Does Diabetes Medication Play a Factor in Reducing Breast Cancer?

One of the drugs used in treating diabetes, metformin, reduces the insulin levels in patients. On some level, high amounts of insulin have been linked to several types of cancers, including breast cancer. Additional research has also shown that metformin activity may be linked to tumor suppression, which means it can be used in breast cancer treatment.

Apart from Medication, What Else can One do?

Taking medication is important, be it chemotherapy for breast cancer or insulin shots for diabetes. However, one can also take up an active lifestyle, improve their diet, and generally be more engaged in life. This also goes for those who aren’t affected by either disease.

Breast cancer and diabetes are two of the most common diseases that affect a huge number of individuals, both directly and indirectly. While breast cancer cannot be prevented, diabetes can. Being able to prevent diabetes goes a long way in keeping breast cancer at bay. As a concerned individual, eat better to take care of blood sugar levels, exercise more for better overall fitness, and go for regular checkups to catch any signs of either disease early. It is only by doing this that you can guarantee yourself a long, stress free life.

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