In the 1920s, an unusual discovery was made: cancer patients had sweet-smelling urine.
This strange symptom was soon linked to heightened blood sugar levels, indicating that cancer has an impact on blood sugar regulation in the body.
Insulin Resistance and Cancer
Associate Professor Lykke Sylow and her team delved deeper into this connection.
While there have been studies focusing on the relationship between cancer and insulin, Sylow’s research is groundbreaking as it collates the best data on the subject. The findings are profound:
Cancer cells in patients don’t respond effectively to the hormone insulin. Consequently, more insulin is needed to regulate blood sugar in cancer patients than in individuals without cancer.
This phenomenon, termed insulin resistance, is also prevalent in people with type 2 diabetes.
However, the symptoms of type 2 diabetes, such as fatigue, heightened thirst, and frequent urination, are gradual and can be easily missed.
For cancer patients, these symptoms, particularly fatigue, are even more difficult to spot due to their already weakened state.
The Double-Edged Sword of Insulin
But insulin resistance doesn’t just mean the body struggles with regulating sugar. It has another dire consequence: it might stimulate the growth of cancer cells.
According to Joan Màrmol, a principal author of the study, insulin is a growth hormone. High insulin levels can boost the growth of cancer cells, intensifying the severity of the disease.
Moreover, insulin resistance can hamper protein accumulation in muscles. If the body doesn’t respond effectively to insulin, it may experience muscle mass and strength loss – a grave concern for many cancer patients.
The Road Ahead
Recognizing and addressing insulin resistance in cancer patients is paramount. Sylow recommends that oncologists regularly check blood sugar levels of their patients, even if they seem normal.
Early detection and treatment of insulin resistance can make a significant difference.
The connection between insulin resistance and cancer is not entirely understood, and Sylow believes that further research is needed.
Questions remain about which cancer patients are most susceptible to insulin resistance and whether it’s linked to specific cancer types or treatments.
The hope is that with more detailed long-term studies on insulin resistance treatments, a more comprehensive understanding and better care for patients can be achieved.
The study, titled “Insulin resistance in patients with cancer: a systematic review and meta-analysis,” can be accessed in Acta Oncologica.
If you care about pancreatic cancer, please read studies about new vaccines to prevent pancreatic cancer, and new therapy to kill pancreatic cancer from within.
For more information about cancer, please see recent studies about herbs that may help treat pancreatic cancer, and results showing how to detect pancreatic cancer at treatable stages.
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