The Connection Between Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer

What does your pancreas do?

You can’t live without your pancreas. It’s an essential organ that releases digestive enzymes so your body can break down the food you eat. It also releases insulin and glucagon, which control how much glucose (sugar) you have in your blood.

When you don’t have enough insulin or your body can’t use the insulin you have properly, your blood sugar levels rise, causing diabetes.

Types of diabetes

There are three types of diabetes that most people have heard of, and a fourth one that is less commonly known:

• Type 1 diabetes. Your pancreas doesn’t produce insulin or makes very little of it. Type 1 used to be called 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 used to be called adult-onset diabetes or non-insulin-dependent diabetes. It’s the type of diabetes that can go undiagnosed for a long time.
• Gestational diabetes. This type of diabetes only happens during pregnancy and usually goes away after the baby is delivered. However, having gestational diabetes does increase your chance of getting Type 2 diabetes later in life.
• Type 3c diabetes. Type 3c is caused by damage to your pancreas from conditions like chronic pancreatitis, cystic fibrosis or pancreatic cancer.

What is pancreatic cancer?

Pancreatic cancer affects the cells in your pancreas, most often in the ducts. It’s the third leading cause of death by cancer because it’s usually diagnosed in the late stages when the cancer has spread to other parts of the body.

Early stages of pancreatic cancer don’t have signs or symptoms but sometimes a healthcare provider will find it by accident during a scan of or around the pancreas. When a disease is found by accident, it’s called an incidental finding.

How does diabetes relate to pancreatic cancer?

When it comes to diabetes and pancreatic cancer, researchers face the age-old chicken-and-egg question. They aren’t sure if diabetes can cause pancreatic cancer or if pancreatic cancer can cause diabetes. Or both.

Studies have found up to 2 out of 3 people had diabetes or prediabetes before they were diagnosed. These findings could mean diabetes has a role in pancreatic cancer development. One theory is that the constant high blood sugar levels and long-term inflammation in the pancreas in people with Type 2 diabetes increases the risk for pancreatic cancer.

But could it be the other way around? Some people suddenly develop diabetes without having any risk factors for the disease. Not long after, especially if they’re over the age of 50, they might be diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas. In this case, diabetes could be a symptom of pancreatic cancer.

Who is at risk for diabetes-linked pancreatic cancer?

Risk factors for diabetes-linked pancreatic cancer include:

• Being Black or Hispanic
• Having diabetes for more than 5 years
• Being over 50 when diagnosed with diabetes, especially if there’s no family history or other risk factors for the disease
• Damage to the pancreas, resulting in Type 3c diabetes
• Living with obesity

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

Since many people with pancreatic cancer have diabetes or prediabetes before their diagnosis, the first step to reduce your risk of cancer is to manage your blood sugar levels as well as possible. This means, in addition to taking your medication, exercising and eating a healthy diet to minimize blood sugar swings.

Other steps you can take to reduce your risk for pancreatic cancer include:

• Not smoking or using tobacco products
• Avoiding alcohol
• Avoiding processed meats and red meat

You may not be able to completely prevent developing pancreatic cancer if you have diabetes, but you can be vigilant and try to lower your risk. Check in with your healthcare provider (HCP) if you suddenly have trouble keeping your blood sugar within range. And if you’re over 50 and newly diagnosed with diabetes, consider asking your HCP for screening for pancreatic cancer. The earlier pancreatic cancer is diagnosed, the better the chances for successful treatment.