Type-2 diabetes is an increasingly serious health problem globally, affecting about 529 million people worldwide. Scientists have expressed concern that the way the risk of diabetes is increasing rapidly, there is a possibility that by the year 2050, the number of patients may increase to more than 1.3 billion (130 crore). Diabetes itself is a serious disease, as well as it can also lead to the risk of many other health problems.
In a recent study, a team of researchers reported that having type 2 diabetes may increase your risk of endometrial cancer, all people need to be alert about its risks.
Endometrial is the most common type of cancer that occurs in the uterus. It is estimated that more than 66,000 women will be diagnosed with this cancer in the US in 2022 alone. Now, new research says that type-2 diabetes may be a risk factor for the disease.
Endometrial cancer risk
A study by scientists from the United Kingdom found that women who have type 2 diabetes may have a 1.5% higher risk of death from endometrial cancer. The researchers found that women with type 2 diabetes who had endometrial cancer had a higher risk of developing the condition, compared with other patients with endometrial cancer.
Chinese researchers reported that this may be because endometrial cancer may increase in the presence of high glucose and there is also a risk of it becoming more severe.
Why the risk is increasing in diabetic patients
The team of researchers found that women with type 2 diabetes were 62% more likely to develop endometrial cancer. Insulin resistance has been shown to increase the growth of cancer cells in these patients.
The average age of the patients included in this study was 66, in general, the risk of endometrial cancer is higher in older women, although the researchers said that anyone can be at risk, so all diabetic patients need to be alert.
What do the researchers say?
Emma Crosby, Professor of Oncology at the University of Manchester in the UK, says: "Our findings suggest that postmenopausal women with diabetes should be screened for endometrial cancer."
Other types of risk factors such as family history, obesity, early menarche, delayed menopause, previous breast or ovarian cancer, and those taking hormonal replacement therapy may also increase the risk. Apart from this, mutations in certain types of genes have also been found to increase the risk of this cancer in women.
How to avoid the risks of cancer?
The Korean study suggested that diabetic patients should be screened carefully for endometrial cancer. The sooner the disease is detected, the easier it will be to treat it. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle also becomes very important to avoid such health risks.
The habit of regular exercise along with the intake of a healthy and nutritious diet can not only help reduce the risk of diabetes, but these habits are also beneficial in protecting against the risks of cancer. Both cancer and diabetes are serious conditions, from which continuous efforts should be made to prevent them.
(PC: Freepik)