Diabetes and Cancer

Abstract

Epidemiologic evidence suggests that cancer incidence is associated with diabetes as well as certain diabetes risk factors and diabetes treatments.This consensus statement of experts assembled jointly by the American Diabetes Association and the American Cancer Society reviews the state of science concerning 1) the association between diabetes and cancer incidence or prognosis, 2) risk factors common to both diabetes and cancer, 3) possible biologic links between diabetes and cancer risk, and 4) whether diabetes treatments influence risk of cancer or cancer prognosis.In addition, key unanswered questions for future research are posed.Diabetes Care 33:1674-1685, 2010 D iabetes and cancer are common diseases with tremendous impact on health worldwide.Epidemiologic evidence suggests that people with diabetes are at significantly higher risk for many forms of cancer.Type 2 diabetes and cancer share many risk factors, but potential biologic links between the two diseases are incompletely understood.Moreover, evidence from observational studies suggests that some medications used to treat hyperglycemia are associated with either increased or reduced risk of cancer.Against this backdrop, the American Diabetes Association and the American Cancer Society convened a consensus development conference in December 2009.Following a series of scientific presentations by experts in the field, the writing group independently developed this consensus report to address the following questions:1. Is there a meaningful association between diabetes and cancer incidence or prognosis?2. What risk factors are common to both diabetes and cancer?3. What are possible biologic links between diabetes and cancer risk? 4. Do diabetes treatments influence risk of cancer or cancer prognosis?For each area, the authors were asked to address the current gaps in evidence and potential research and epidemiologic strategies for developing more definitive evidence in the future.Table 1 includes a summary of findings and recommendations.Recommendations in this report are solely the opinions of the authors and do not represent official position of the American Diabetes Association or the American Cancer Society.•