Diabetes is diagnosed when the glucose level in the blood is high. The consumed food is broken down into glucose. The glucose, which enters the blood after the digestion of food, is the prime energy source for the cells. However, in the absence of insulin, glucose cannot enter the cells and the glucose level in the blood gets high. When the cells do not respond to the insulin properly, the glucose level in the blood increases as well. Diabetes affects the human body in several ways. Among the negative impacts of diabetes is the risk of breast cancer.

Types of diabetes

There are four types of diabetes and they are seen in particular ages.

Type 1 diabetes

The body produces very little insulin in type 1 diabetes. In some cases, the body is unable to produce any insulin. Children and adolescents are mainly diagnosed with this type of diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes

Type 2 diabetes stops the body from making proper use of produce insulin. This type of diabetes is frequently observed in adults. Around 90 to 95% of diabetes falls in this category.

Prediabetes

In prediabetes, the glucose level in the blood is high but not as high to have diabetes. However, this can lead to type 2 diabetes.

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is found in those pregnant women who didn’t have diabetes before becoming pregnant. This can create complications for the mother and newborn as well.

How does diabetes lead to breast cancer?

Among the above mentioned four types, type 1 diabetes can increase the risk of breast cancer. Diabetes increases the glucose level, insulin level, and inflammation. These factors can increase the chances of breast cancer as well.

• The most commonly used medicines used to treat diabetes does not increase the risk of breast cancer. But long-acting insulin can increase the risk factors.
• As mentioned earlier, type 2 diabetes prevents the accurate use of insulin. In this scenario, the high level of insulin causes hyperinsulinemia. This condition can lead to cancer as it stimulates cells’ growth.
• Most of the people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are overweight. The excess fat in the body produces a higher level of adipokines than average. The high level of adipokines can lead to chronic inflammation. Chronic inflammation is often linked to breast cancer.
• The risk of breast cancer increases from 20 to 27% in 50 years or older women being diagnosed with type 2 diabetes.

People having type 2 diabetes are more likely to get diagnosed at the last stage and therefore, face more difficulty in recovery. Type 2 diabetes is often linked with breast cancer, but the other three types of diabetes do not lead to the condition.

Few people know that breast cancer treatments can increase the risk of diabetes as well. Cancer treatments like chemotherapy and radiation therapy can increase the glucose level in the blood. Both cancer and diabetes have negative impacts on health. Moreover, one condition can increase the risk factor for another. It is important to keep the glucose level in control for health reasons. Managing the glucose level during chemotherapy is essential as well. The best way to fight cancer is to start the treatment immediately after being diagnosed. Diagnosed individuals can get the proper treatment in breast cancer hospitals in Bangalore, Mumbai, Kolkata and other cities of India. These hospitals will take care of the glucose level during cancer treatment.

 

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