Oral Cancer Risk, Among Others, Higher In Women With Diabetes

According to Medical News Today, “That diabetes and cancer are linked in some way is by no means a new idea, but it had never previously been confirmed. Now, a major new study draws a firm conclusion: diabetes raises a person’s risk of developing cancer.” Authors of the study note that women with diabetes are especially affected. The review, conducted by researchers led by Dr. Toshiaki Ohkuma, from the Georgia Institute for Global Health, discovered that people with type 1 and type 2 diabetes were at greater risk of developing certain types of cancer. “Specifically, in contrast to men with diabetes, women have an 11 percent higher risk of developing kidney cancer, a 13 percent higher risk for oral cancer and 15 percent higher chance of being diagnosed with leukemia.”

Delayed Treatment for Women

And why are women more at risk than men? The researchers think “this might be due to the fact that women live with prediabetes conditions for 2 years longer than men, on average, which may contribute to exacerbating their vulnerability to cancer.” Also, women are often under-treated when they first present with symptoms of diabetes and less likely to receive intensive care for the disease.

Regular Dental Visits Can Save Lives

Diabetes has previously been linked to poor oral health, but this new research shows a specific link to mouth cancer. Without early detection, the five-year survival rate for mouth cancer is only 50%, but caught early can improve to a remarkable 90%! At C R Dental GroupDr. James Reisman and Dr. Jordana Contrucci offer a higher standard of care. They stress the importance of regular dental visits, and oral cancer screenings are performed regularly during hygiene visits. They urge patients to be alert to any suspicious symptoms in their own mouths, such as red or white patches, and unusual lumps or swellings in the mouth, head or neck. The more diligent we are with our health, the more likely we are to live longer, healthier lives.

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/