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MALAGA, Spain – New research presented at the European Congress on Obesity (ECO 2025) reveals a significant link between a recent diagnosis of type 2 diabetes and an elevated risk of developing specific obesity-related cancers. The study, conducted by Owen Tipping and Professor Andrew Renehan from the University of Manchester and the NIHR Manchester Biomedical Research Center, aimed to address methodological flaws present in previous research on this topic.
The researchers utilized data from the UK Biobank, performing a matched cohort control study comparing individuals with new-onset type 2 diabetes to a control group matched for body mass index (BMI), age, and sex. This approach allowed them to minimize confounding factors, such as obesity itself, and to account for biases like immortal time bias and detection-time bias.
The study, which followed 23,750 participants with type 2 diabetes and 71,123 controls for a median of five years, found that new-onset type 2 diabetes was associated with a 48% increase in overall obesity-related cancer risk in men and a 24% increase in women, independent of BMI.
However, the association varied across different cancer types. Notably, no significant link was found with endometrial or post-menopausal breast cancer in women. Conversely, the study identified a significantly increased risk for bowel cancer (27% in men, 34% in women), pancreatic cancer (74% in men, nearly double in women), and liver cancer (nearly fourfold increase in men, nearly fivefold increase in women).
The researchers noted the differences in cancer risk between men and women, suggesting potential influences from sex-dependent biological pathways such as hormone levels, insulin sensitivity, or body fat composition. They also acknowledged the possibility of these differences being due to chance.
“Our findings indicate that new-onset type 2 diabetes is associated with some but not all site-specific obesity-related cancers,” the authors stated. They highlighted the need for further investigation into the underlying mechanisms, with hyperinsulinemia, hyperglycemia, and chronic inflammation being considered as potential factors.
“Hyperinsulinemia has the strongest evidence for a plausible mechanism due to its ability to stimulate cell growth and proliferation,” they explained.
This research underscores the importance of managing type 2 diabetes and obesity to potentially reduce the risk of certain cancers. Further studies are required to fully understand the complex relationship between these conditions.
Disclaimer: This article is based on information presented at a medical conference and has not been peer-reviewed for publication in a medical journal. The findings should be considered preliminary and not used as a basis for medical advice. Individuals with concerns about diabetes or cancer risk should consult with a healthcare professional.
