Diabetes linked to two lethal cancers in breakthrough study - raising risk up to fivefold

The study found that women recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes had nearly twice the risk of developing pancreatic cancer compared to those without diabetes.

Their chance of developing liver cancer was almost five times higher.

These findings emerged from research conducted by the University of Manchester.

Men also showed increased cancer risks, with type 2 diabetes linked to a 74 per cent increase in pancreatic cancer and nearly quadrupling the risk of liver cancer within five years.

Researchers accounted for initial diagnosis spikes by ignoring cancer cases reported within a year of diabetes diagnosis.

The study revealed that after five years, men with a recent type 2 diabetes diagnosis had a 48 per cent higher risk of any obesity-related cancer compared to those without the condition.

For women, the increased risk was 24 per cent .

Bowel cancer risk was also elevated, rising by 34 per cent in women and 27 per cent in men with diabetes.

Not all obesity-related cancers showed increased risk. Women with diabetes were no more likely to develop endometrial cancer or post-menopausal breast cancer.

In the UK, one in 76 men and one in 130 women will develop liver cancer during their lifetime.

LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

• People with certain blood types are more likely to develop cancer - new study
• High cholesterol: Doctor recommends 4 'lifestyle changes' as 'effective as statins'
• Dementia warning: Scientists issue alert over alarming sign in women that could double their risk

Pancreatic cancer affects one in 55 men and one in 59 women.

Scientists suspect high insulin levels, high blood glucose and chronic inflammation may drive the cancer-diabetes link.

The sex differences could be related to hormone levels, insulin sensitivity or body fat variations.

"We know with pancreatic cancer that it's important to detect it early," said Owen Tipping.