Pancreatic Cancer: High blood sugar, high risk
Christiane Fux studied journalism and psychology in Hamburg. The experienced medical editor has been writing magazine articles, news and factual texts on all conceivable health topics since 2001. In addition to her work for, Christiane Fux is also active in prose. Her first crime novel was published in 2012, and she also writes, designs and publishes her own crime plays.
More posts by Christiane Fux All content is checked by medical journalists.MunichElevated blood sugar levels seem to significantly increase the risk of pancreatic cancer. This connection does not only exist in people who have already developed diabetes, but also before.
This is shown by an overview study that incorporated data from nine examinations with a total of 2,048 pancreatic cancer patients. The researchers led by Wei-Chih Liao from the National Taiwan University investigated the connection between fasting blood sugar and the occurrence of tumors of the pancreas. Doctors understand fasting blood sugar to be the level of glucose in the blood measured in the morning on an empty stomach.
Even moderately high values are risky
For the study, the team focused on data from patients whose blood sugar was measured before the onset of cancer. This is important because a pancreatic tumor often causes diabetes - and with it rising sugar levels.
The evaluation showed: a 10 mg / dl higher fasting blood sugar was associated with a 14 percent higher probability of pancreatic cancer. This also applied to slightly increased values in the range between 100 mg / dl and 125 mg / dl. However, such values do not mean that those affected already suffered from diabetes - only values of 126 mg / dl indicate an existing diabetes. In people with a healthy metabolism, the values measured on an empty stomach are 55 to 90 mg / dl
Fired tumor growth
The researchers suspect that increased blood sugar levels promote tumor growth in the pancreas - because these cancer cells require a lot of energy. However, increased insulin levels could also increase the risk of cancer. Previous studies have shown that insulin generally promotes the growth of tumors and at the same time inhibits programmed cell death, which causes abnormally changed cells to perish before they form a tumor.
The body needs the hormone insulin to transport sugar from the blood into the cells. Therefore, higher blood sugar levels go hand in hand with higher insulin levels. Insulin levels are particularly high in people with type 2 diabetes or a previous stage of it.
Around 16,000 people in Germany develop pancreatic cancer every year. Since it only causes symptoms in the late stage, it is usually discovered late. The survival rate is correspondingly low.
Everyone can influence the level of blood sugar: Regular exercise and a healthy diet keep sugar levels in check. (cf)
Source: Wei-Chih Liao et al: Blood glucose concentration and risk of pancreatic cancer: systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis; BMJ 2015; 349: g7371
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