Diabetes and Cancer

We know not all cancer patients have diabetes, nor will all diabetics get cancer, but a diabetic that gets cancer will have a much harder time overcoming it. Cancer affects our cells, which are the basic unit of life. Cells and the products of cells comprise all the tissues and carry on all the functional activities of the body. Cells arise only from pre-existing cells; new cells arise by cell division.
The body is made up of many different types of cells. Under normal conditions, cells grow, divide, and produce more cells to keep the body functioning and healthy. Sometimes cells keep on dividing when new cells are not needed; this mass of cells forms a growth or tumor. Some types of cells anr more prone to abnormal growth than others. Tumors can be benign or malignant. Benign tumors are not cancer, but malignant tumors are. Malignant tumor cells are abnormal and divide without control or order. Malignant tumors can invade and destroy the tissue around them. They also can break away and enter the bloodstream or lymphatic system. This is how cancer spreads.
We do not know the exact cause of cancer, but there are several factors. Cigarette smoking and exposure to environmental tobacco among non-smokers are risk factors for cancer. Smoking can be linked to many types of cancer. Smoke travels to every cell throughout the entire body via the bloodstream, limiting the amount of oxygen in the blood. Drinking alcohol, which diabetics should avoid anyway, is said to be linked to liver cancer. Women who have diabetes may be more likely to get uterine cancer than non-diabetic women. For relief of menopausal symptoms, as well as preventing bone loss, doctors prescribe supplemental menopausal hormone therapy (estrogen therapy alone or a combination of estrogen-progestin therapy). Estrogen replacement therapy after menopause has a number of benefits, but estrogen stimulates growth of the uterine lining, creating a risk for uterine cancer. Check with your doctor to see if you are getting progestin with the estrogen. Diabetics who are overweight, exercise very little, eat too much fat, get very little fiber, and don't eat enough fresh fruits and vegetables could be at risk for colon cancer. The above mentioned risk factors do not mean you will get cancer; you just need to be aware of the risks.

Important Warning Signs of Cancer:

1. Unusual bleeding or discharge from any internal or external body site. The most common symptom of uterine cancer is bleeding.


2. A lump or thickening in any area, but especially in the breast


3. A sore that does not heal


4. Changes in bowel or bladder habits


5. Persistent cough or hoarseness


6. Difficulty in swallowing


7. Changes in size or shape of a wart or mole


8. Unexplained weight loss

If you observe any of these signs, it does not mean you have cancer, but you should bring it to the attention of your doctor. The best way to prevent or delay any complication of diabetes is through diet and exercise. You must have proper nutrition for bodily systems to function optimally, and exercise brings in more vital oxygen needed by all the cells.