Diabetes can cause breast cancer in postmenopausal women - scientists have come to this conclusion after analyzing data from 40 different studies.
An international team of scientists has found that post-menopausal women with type 2 diabetes are likely to have a higher risk of developing breast cancer - 27%, writes the British Journal of Cancer. More than 56,000 women with breast cancer participated in these studies.
Postmenopausal women with type 2 diabetes had a 27% higher risk of developing breast cancer. But in premenopausal women, as well as in patients with type 1 diabetes, there were no signs of a higher risk.
The authors also suggested that a high body mass index (BMI), which is often associated with diabetes, may be a major contributing factor.
Professor Peter Boyle, president of the International Research Institute for Prevention, who led the study, said: “We don’t yet know the mechanisms that trigger breast cancer in women with type 2 diabetes. But it’s believed that overweight and the effect it has hormonal activity, may be partially responsible for the processes leading to the development of cancer. "
Martin Ledwick, head of information for the British Cancer Research Center, said: “It’s not clear from this study whether there is a causal relationship between diabetes and the risk of developing breast cancer in postmenopausal women. But since a high body mass index can increase risk both type 2 diabetes and breast cancer, women should do their best to maintain a healthy weight. "
