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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 it. If diabetes is not treated or controlled, it can cause complications to your heart, kidneys, eyes, and many other organs.
Diabetes can also increase your risk of developing certain types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer.
What does the pancreas do?
You cannot live without your pancreas. It is a vital organ that secretes digestive enzymes to help your body break down the food you eat. It also secretes insulin and glucagon, which control glucose (sugar) levels in your blood.
If you don’t have enough insulin in your body or can’t use the insulin you have properly, your blood sugar levels rise, leading to diabetes.
Types of diabetes
There are three types of diabetes that are commonly known and a fourth that is less well known:
- Type 1 diabetes. Your pancreas produces little or no insulin. Type 1 was previously known as 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. This 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 baby is delivered. However, gestational diabetes increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes later.
- Diabetes type 3c. Type 3c is caused by damage to the pancreas from conditions such as chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis, or pancreatic cancer.
What is pancreatic cancer?
Pancreatic cancer affects the cells of your pancreas, most commonly the ducts. It is the third most common cause of cancer-related death because it is usually diagnosed in late stages when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.
Early stages of pancreatic cancer show no signs or symptoms, but sometimes doctors discover it accidentally during imaging tests of the pancreas or surrounding areas. If a disorder is discovered by chance, it is called a chance diagnosis.
What is the connection between diabetes and pancreatic cancer?
When it comes to diabetes and pancreatic cancer, researchers face the age-old question of which came first. Not sure if diabetes could cause pancreatic cancer or if pancreatic cancer could cause diabetes. Or if both options are valid.
Studies have shown that up to 2 in 3 people had diabetes or prediabetes before being diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. These findings may indicate that diabetes plays an important role in the development of pancreatic cancer. One theory is that persistently high blood sugar levels and long-term inflammation of the pancreas increase the risk of pancreatic cancer in people with type 2 diabetes.
But could the opposite happen? Some people suddenly develop diabetes without having any risk factors for the disease. A little later, especially if they are over 50, they could be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In these cases, diabetes could be a symptom of pancreatic cancer.
Who is at risk of developing diabetes related to pancreatic cancer?
Risk factors for diabetes-related pancreatic cancer include:
- Be black or Hispanic
- Suffering from diabetes for more than 5 years
- Be over 50 years old when diagnosed with diabetes, especially if there is no family history or other risk factors for the disease
- Pancreatic lesions caused by type 3c diabetes
- Living with Obesity
How can you reduce your risk of diabetes related to 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 best control blood sugar levels. 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 lower your risk of pancreatic cancer include:
- Do not smoke or use tobacco products
- Avoid alcohol
- Avoid processed and red meat
If you have diabetes, you may not be able to completely prevent the development of pancreatic cancer, but you can remain vigilant and try to reduce your risk. Contact your doctor if you suddenly have problems keeping your blood sugar within specified ranges. And if you’re over 50 and have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, you should talk to your doctor about getting screened for pancreatic cancer. 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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