How does diabetes relate to pancreatic cancer?
Individuals with pancreatic cancer are at risk for diabetes or glucose intolerance. For pancreatic cancer patients, diabetes may be either a symptom or result of the tumor. Pancreatic cancer is two times more likely to occur in people who have diabetes than in people who do not have diabetes. In pancreatic cancer patients who have had diabetes for less than five years, it is unclear if the diabetes contributed to the cancer or if the precancerous cells caused the diabetes. The tumor may impair insulin secretion by the pancreas; in this case, surgical removal of the tumor may cure the diabetes. Alternately, surgical removal of part, or all, of the pancreas may result in diabetes, since cells that produce insulin have been removed by the surgery. What foods may help control diabetes? People with diabetes and cancer have special nutritional needs. An individual can have a positive influence on his/her blood glucose and overall health by choosing foods wisely. By eating well-balanced meals
