Study links diabetes, advanced breast cancer

abc.net.au ^ | 2008/07/08 | Simon Lauder

[neverdem]

An international study has established a link between type 2 diabetes and advanced breast cancer. (ABC TV)

It has been known for a while that being overweight puts post-menopausal women at greater risk of breast cancer.

But now it has been found that women who are resistant to insulin, or who are overweight, are 50 per cent more likely to be diagnosed with the cancer, and only when it is in its advanced stages.

The finding comes after an international research team followed more than 60,000 Swedish women over 20 years.

Dr Anne Cust from the University of Melbourne is a collaborator in the study and will present the findings at a medical conference in Brisbane today.

Dr Cust told AM the study looked at the stage of breast cancer and the diagnosis.

"We found that women who were overweight or with insulin resistance were more likely to be diagnosed with an advanced stage of breast cancer," she said.

"We don't know the exact reasons why that might be. It might be that the cancer is growing more quickly or that it wasn't diagnosed early but we need to do more research to find out exactly why that might be."

She says there are a number of hypotheses as to why overweight or diabetic women aren't diagnosed earlier with breast cancer.

"It may be that the hormones that are involved, that are linked with being overweight or having insulin resistance, might be making the tumour grow more quickly but we need to do more research to find out exactly why that might be the case," she said.

But Dr Cust says that does not necessarily mean that women who are at risk of type 2 diabetes should be screened for breast cancer more often.

"The question of screening is something that would need to be looked at separately but I think it is just providing another indication that being overweight is linked to lots of different health problems and this is another reason to get off the couch and try to stay active and maintain a healthy weight," she said.

"And also, the link with insulin resistance may provide a new avenue of research for looking at the causes of breast cancer and possibly new treatments."

Based on an interview by Simon Lauder for AM

[fortunecookie]

Thanks, bookmarking for sharing and later re-reading. This info has the potential to help so many at risk.

[neverdem]

It looks like the first link means an interesting argument will develop. Blindness or kidney failure due to diabetes doesn't want to play second fiddle to the usual primary endpoints, i.e. death, myocardial infarction, cerebrovascular accident, aka stroke.

AACE Representative Testifies at FDA Advisory Panel Vote for the Approval of Diabetes Drugs

Researchers Clarify Function Of Glucose Transport Molecule, May Lead To New Diabetes, Cancer Drugs

Carbohydrate restriction improves the features of Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic Syndrome may be defined by the response to carbohydrate restriction It's not easy, but try to read it.

FReepmail me if you want on or off the diabetes or health & science ping list.