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The number of people in the United States suffering from diabetes is increasing, and many people don’t even know they have the disease. Untreated and uncontrolled diabetes can lead to complications for the heart, kidneys, eyes and many other organs.
Diabetes can also increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer.
What does your pancreas do?
You cannot live without your pancreas. It is a vital organ that releases digestive enzymes so your body can break down the food you eat. Insulin and glucagon are also released, which control how much glucose (sugar) you have in your blood.
If you don’t have enough insulin or your body can’t use the insulin it does have properly, your blood sugar levels rise and diabetes develops.
Types of diabetes
There are three types of diabetes that most people have heard of and a fourth that is less well known:
- Type 1 diabetes. Your pancreas produces little or no insulin. Type 1 was previously called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes.
- Type 2 diabetes. Your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin or your body can’t use it properly. Type 2 was previously known as adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. It is the type of diabetes that can go undetected for a long time.
- Gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes only occurs during pregnancy and usually disappears after the child is born. However, gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
- Type 3c diabetes. Type 3c is caused by damage to your pancreas from conditions such as chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, or pancreatic cancer.
What is pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer affects the cells in your pancreas, most commonly in the ducts. It is the third most common cause of death from cancer because it is usually diagnosed in the late stages when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
In the early stages of pancreatic cancer, there are no signs or symptoms, but sometimes a doctor discovers it accidentally during an examination of the pancreas or its surrounding area. When a disease is discovered by chance, it is called an incidental finding.
What is the connection between diabetes and pancreatic cancer?
When it comes to diabetes and pancreatic cancer, researchers face the age-old chicken-and-egg question. Not sure if diabetes can cause pancreatic cancer or if pancreatic cancer can cause diabetes. Or both.
Studies have found that up to 2 in 3 people already had diabetes or prediabetes before diagnosis. These results could mean that diabetes plays a role in the development of pancreatic cancer. One theory is that the consistently high blood sugar levels and long-term inflammation of the pancreas in people with type 2 diabetes increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.
But could it also be the other way around? Some people suddenly develop diabetes without having any risk factors for the disease. A short time later, especially if they are over 50, they can be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In this case, diabetes could be a symptom of pancreatic cancer.
Who is at risk of developing diabetes-related pancreatic cancer?
Risk factors for diabetes-related pancreatic cancer include:
- Being Black or Hispanic
- Suffering from diabetes for more than 5 years
- Be over 50 years of age when diagnosed with diabetes, especially if there is no family history or other risk factors for the disease
- Damage to the pancreas leading to type 3c diabetes
- Living with Obesity
How can you reduce your risk of diabetes-related pancreatic cancer?
Because many people with pancreatic cancer already have diabetes or prediabetes before diagnosis, the first step to reducing the risk of cancer is to control blood sugar levels as best as possible. This means that in addition to taking your medication, you also need to exercise and eat a healthy diet to minimize blood sugar fluctuations.
Other steps you can take to reduce your risk of pancreatic cancer include:
- Do not smoke or consume tobacco products
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid processed meat and red meat
If you have diabetes, you may not be able to completely prevent the development of pancreatic cancer, but you can be vigilant and try to lower your risk. Contact your doctor if you suddenly have problems keeping your blood sugar within acceptable limits. And if you’re over 50 and newly diagnosed with diabetes, you should ask your primary care doctor for a pancreatic cancer screening. The earlier pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of successful treatment.
This educational resource was created with support from Merck.
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