Link between diabetes and pancreatic cancer

What does the pancreas do?

You can’t live without your pancreas. It is an essential organ that secretes digestive enzymes to help the body break down ingested food. It also secretes insulin and glucagon, which regulate glucose (sugar) levels in the blood.

If there is not enough insulin in the body or the insulin that is present is not utilized properly, blood sugar levels rise and diabetes occurs.

Types of Diabetes

There are three commonly known types of diabetes and a fourth, lesser known type.

• Type 1 diabetes. Your pancreas produces no or little insulin. Type 1 is known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes.
• Type 2 diabetes. The pancreas may not produce enough insulin or the body may not be able to use insulin properly. Type 2 diabetes was previously called adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. This is a type of diabetes that can remain undiagnosed for long periods of time.
• Gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes occurs only during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is born. However, having gestational diabetes increases your risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.
• 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 the pancreas, most commonly the pancreatic cells. It is the third leading cause of cancer-related death because it is usually diagnosed at a later stage when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

The early stages of pancreatic cancer do not appear. signs or symptomsHowever, sometimes health care providers discover it accidentally during imaging tests of the pancreas or surrounding areas. When a disorder is identified by chance, it is called an incidental diagnosis.

What is the relationship between diabetes and pancreatic cancer?

When it comes to diabetes and pancreatic cancer, researchers face an age-old question that comes first. It is not clear whether diabetes can cause pancreatic cancer or whether pancreatic cancer can cause diabetes. Or if both options are valid.

Studies have shown that up to two out of three people have diabetes or pre-diabetes 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 in people with type 2 diabetes increase the risk of pancreatic cancer.

But could the opposite happen? Some people develop diabetes suddenly without having risk factors for the disorder. You may be diagnosed with pancreatic cancer later, especially if you are over the age of 50. In these cases, diabetes may be a symptom of pancreatic cancer.

Who is at risk for pancreatic cancer-related diabetes?

Risk factors for diabetes-related pancreatic cancer include:

• Must be black or hispanic.
• If you have had diabetes for more than 5 years
• If you were diagnosed with diabetes over 50 years of age, especially if you have no family history or other risk factors for diabetes
• Pancreatic lesions due to type 3c diabetes
• Living with Obesity

How can you reduce your risk of diabetes related to pancreatic cancer?

Because many people with pancreatic cancer have diabetes or pre-diabetes before diagnosis, the first step to reducing your cancer risk is to control your blood sugar levels as much as possible. In addition to taking medications, this means exercising and eating 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 use tobacco products
• avoid alcohol
• Avoid processed and red meat

Although you cannot completely prevent developing pancreatic cancer if you have diabetes, you can be vigilant and try to reduce your risk. If you suddenly have trouble keeping your blood sugar within a preset range, contact your health care provider (HCP). And if you’re over 50 and have recently been diagnosed with diabetes, talk to your health care provider about getting screened for pancreatic cancer. The earlier pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances of successful treatment.