Type 2 diabetes and cancer risk

In 10 seconds? Type 2 diabetes and cancer have been linked in observational studies. New research unveils concrete ways by which fat cells affected by type 2 diabetes can facilitate cancer growth.

Oh, no! But what exactly is type 2 diabetes? Type 2 diabetes is a metabolic disease that occurs when a person’s cells don’t respond normally to insulin, a hormone produced by the pancreas that allows our cells to use sugar in the blood as an energy source. People with type 2 diabetes have ‘insulin resistance’ and this can be detected if they have high levels of sugar in their blood (AKA blood glucose).  Type 2 diabetes commonly, but not exclusively, occurs in people who are overweight and it's a growing health concern that affects about 6% of the global population. While type 2 diabetes can be managed with diet, exercise, and medication, it remains a major cause of mortality worldwide.