Women with diabetes are at high risk for colorectal cancer, according to a latest research report by Minnesota School scientists. Diabetic women are 1.5 times more likely to develop colorectal cancer. This was reported at the sixth annual conference of the American Association for Cancer Research.
Scientists conducted study on the medical records of 45,000 women who are suffering from diabetes. They find that 50% increase in risk in diabetic women than normal women.
Colorectal cancer is the 3rd most common cancer in Americans. According to American Cancer Society statistics, Colorectal cancer causes more than 50,000 deaths annually in Americans.
Insulin role in the cancer development:
Increase in glucose levels in the body which support cell growth by supporting new blood cell growth. This sometimes may leads to cancer development.
Researchers surprised to find that increase in insulin levels triggered “cancerous polyps”. But they failed to explain the mechanism behind this risk in “prediabetic women”.
How to protect from colorectal cancer?
Controlling diabetes by managing blood glucose levels at optimum levels is the best method in preventing cancer development. Diabetic women should follow healthy lifestyles and good diet habits.
Colonoscopy for polyps (screening) is the best method to prevent colorectal cancer in high risk diabetic women.
