Feb 15, 2026 | Healthy Tips
How diabetes and cancer are linked, why cancer survivors face diabetes risk, and what new-onset diabetes may reveal about hidden cancers.
By Justine Evans
Some facts about diabetes and cancer:
- Type 2 diabetes increases risk for certain cancers.
- Some cancer treatments may cause diabetes later.
- New-onset diabetes in older adults may signal hidden cancer.
- Screening and lifestyle changes can reduce risk.
- Research is exploring new diagnostic tools using these links.
If you’re living with diabetes, you might know all about the intriguing and intricate relationship between diabetes and certain types of cancer. And it’s not a one-way street — the connection goes both ways.
So, what does current research say about this bidirectional relationship? Why are some cancer survivors more likely to develop diabetes? And why is understanding the difference between new-onset and long-standing diabetes critical in cancer detection and care?
Which cancers are linked to diabetes?
It’s been known for some time that diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, can increase the risk of several types of cancer. But which cancers specifically?
According to a growing body of evidence, people with diabetes are more likely to develop pancreatic, liver, colorectal, breast and endometrial cancers. Why these cancers in particular? Different factors may be at play:
- People with type 2 diabetes often have higher circulating insulin levels, which may promote the growth of cancer cells.
- Long-term low-grade inflammation, common in diabetes, can create an environment in the body that’s more vulnerable to cancer development.
- Persistently high glucose levels may not only damage blood vessels and organs but also contribute to tumour growth.
A 2025 review in Seminars in Oncology outlines these mechanisms in detail, underscoring that this isn’t just correlation butthe risk that there’s a plausible biological basis linking diabetes to cancer risk.
It’s been known for some time that diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, can increase the risk of several types of cancer. But which cancers specifically?
The gender gap in diabetes-related cancer risk
Diabetes doesn’t affect everyone’s cancer risk in the same way. In fact, research shows that women with diabetes tend to have a higher overall risk of developing cancer than men with diabetes. Across many different cancer types, the relative increase in cancer risk associated with diabetes was greater in women. Importantly, this wasn’t limited to a single cancer. Instead, diabetes appeared to place a broader cancer burden on women overall.
So why might this difference exist? The answer is likely complex and involves a mix of biological and lifestyle factors. Many of the risk factors shared by diabetes and cancer, such as excess body weight, physical inactivity and smoking, can worsen insulin resistance and promote long-term inflammation in the body.
These changes can also disrupt hormone regulation, all of which are processes linked to cancer development. Some evidence suggests that these metabolic and lifestyle effects may be more pronounced, or persist for longer, in women with diabetes. Over time, this may help explain why women experience a greater relative increase in cancer risk compared with men, even when both are living with the same condition.
Can cancer treatments cause diabetes?
Interestingly, the relationship works the other way, too. People who have survived cancer, particularly those treated with certain therapies, are at greater risk of developing new-onset diabetes after cancer.
A recent article published in Annals of Medicine and Surgery (2024) explored how cancer treatments, while life-saving, can disrupt glucose metabolism in various ways. Here are a few examples:
- Chemotherapy and corticosteroids, often used to manage cancer or treatment side effects, can cause spikes in blood sugar.
• Androgen deprivation therapy (used in prostate cancer) has been associated with insulin resistance.
• Abdominal radiation, particularly in children and young adults, can damage the pancreas, impairing insulin production.
This risk is beyond a simple short-term issue during treatment. For many survivors, diabetes may not appear until months or even years later. And because cancer follow-up typically focuses on recurrence and surveillance imaging, blood glucose levels might not be closely monitored unless there’s a specific concern.
People who have survived cancer, particularly those treated with certain therapies, are at greater risk of developing new-onset diabetes after cancer
It’s not just a case of better detection
You might ask whether there is simply an increase in diabetes and cancer diagnoses because we’re looking more closely. After all, both conditions are common, and frequent medical visits often lead to more testing. But experts now agree this is more than just detection bias. A growing number of studies demonstrate a biologically plausible connection between the two conditions.
For instance, shared risk factors, such as obesity, sedentary lifestyle, poor diet, and inflammation, as well as treatment-related effects that support this real, bidirectional link. Although these shared risk factors present a more complex picture, the association between diabetes and certain cancers remains.
That means clinicians are not just diagnosing more people by chance. There is a real link that has clinical implications for diabetes management and cancer care.
New-onset vs long-standing diabetes: a new focus in research
Here’s where it gets even more interesting. Researchers are now focused on distinguishing new-onset diabetes, especially in older adults, as a potential early marker of underlying cancer, particularly pancreatic cancer.
Why pancreatic cancer? Because in many cases, new-onset diabetes can precede the cancer diagnosis. The pancreas is central to both insulin production and tumour development, and a pancreatic tumour can impair insulin secretion, sometimes months before the cancer is detected.
So, while long-standing diabetes may increase the risk of developing certain cancers over time, sudden-onset diabetes, especially in someone with no history of obesity or insulin resistance, could be a red flag. This is especially important because pancreatic cancer often presents late and has poor survival outcomes. Early detection can make a big difference.
In fact, healthcare systems are exploring screening programmes that use new-onset diabetes in people over 50 as a trigger to investigate for pancreatic cancer. It’s a promising area of research that could lead to earlier diagnoses and better outcomes.
Sudden-onset diabetes, especially in someone with no history of obesity or insulin resistance, could be a red flag
What does this mean for people living with diabetes or cancer?
Understanding this bidirectional relationship matters for individuals and healthcare providers.
- If you have diabetes: Regular cancer screenings, especially for colorectal, breast, and liver cancers, may be more relevant than ever. Maintaining good glycaemic control, staying active and managing weight could help reduce your risk.
- If you’re a cancer survivor: Keep an eye on your blood glucose levels, even years after treatment. If you were exposed to chemotherapy, steroids, radiation, or hormone therapy, you may have a higher chance of developing diabetes, and early diagnosis is key.
- If you’re newly diagnosed with diabetes in your 50s or older: Talk to your GP about whether further investigation might be needed, particularly if you don’t fit the type 2 diabetes profile. It might be nothing, but it’s worth checking.
What’s next in research?
The complex interaction between diabetes and cancer is now one of the most dynamic areas of medical research. With a better understanding, there’s hope that:
- Cancer therapies are refined to reduce metabolic side effects.
- New-onset diabetes can serve as a valuable biomarker for early cancer detection.
- Strategies are developed to prevent diabetes in cancer survivors through tailored screening and lifestyle support.
It’s a reminder that in medicine, everything is connected, and sometimes the clues to one condition or disease lie in the symptoms or progression of another.
In medicine, everything is connected, and sometimes the clues to one condition or disease lie in the symptoms or progression of another.
Should people with diabetes be alarmed?
Living with diabetes doesn’t mean you’re destined to develop cancer, and not all cancer survivors will go on to develop diabetes. But recognising the links between these conditions can empower you to take preventive action, ask informed questions, and work with your healthcare team for more personalised care.
After all, the more we understand how diseases interact, the better we can treat and prevent them.
https://diabetesvoice.org/en/caring-for-diabetes/diabetes-and-cancer-whats-the-real-connection/?mc_cid=0daf1860af&mc_eid=50b74717d8
Feb 14, 2026 | Healthy Tips
Anita Sabidi
The myth of the supermom: embracing vulnerability with Type 1 Diabetes
Motherhood is often painted as a story of strength, resilience, and endless sacrifice. As mothers, we are expected to be the pillars of our families—the ones who hold everything together no matter what. But living with Type 1 diabetes for more than two decades has taught me that being a mother does not mean being invincible. In fact, one of the most valuable lessons I’ve been able to share with my children is that their mama is not a superwoman. I can be strong, yes, but I can also be vulnerable. And that’s okay.
Type 1 Diabetes is a family affair: when daily rituals become childhood memories
Every day with diabetes is a balancing act. Managing insulin, blood sugar checks, and the unpredictability of the condition can feel like carrying an invisible load. Yet this journey is not mine alone—it has become a family affair. My children have grown up witnessing my daily rituals with insulin injections and blood glucose monitoring. What might seem routine to me is part of their childhood memories, shaping how they understand care, responsibility, and empathy.
“Cover mama!”: how my kids became my little bodyguards
One of the sweetest moments happens whenever it’s time for my insulin shot in public. Without being asked, my kids instinctively take position around me, shielding me from curious stares. “Cover Mama!” they say, forming a protective circle as I inject. In those little moments, I see their love, their awareness, and their willingness to step into the role of supporters. They are my little bodyguards, and I treasure that more than words can describe.
Why sharing my needs is a lesson in strength, not a burden
Some might think children shouldn’t have to carry that kind of responsibility. But I see it differently. By sharing my vulnerabilities with them, I am teaching them important lessons about life: that strength is not about pretending to be unbreakable, but about acknowledging our needs and asking for support. That caring for one another is not a burden, but an act of love.
Authenticity over perfection: what my children taught me about Type 1 Diabetes resilience
Motherhood with diabetes has also shown me that I don’t have to live up to the impossible standard of being a superwoman. My kids don’t need perfection; they need authenticity. They need to see that it’s human to struggle, to adapt, and to keep going despite the challenges. They need to know that resilience comes not from denying vulnerability, but from embracing it.
So yes, I am a mother living with diabetes. I am a caregiver, but I am also someone who needs care. And in this shared journey, my children and I are learning together—that family is not about one person carrying it all, but about supporting each other through life’s highs and lows.
Conclusion
In the end, I hope my children grow up knowing this truth: that their mama’s greatest strength is not being superhuman but being real.
https://hellotype1.com/en/articles/motherhood-and-type-1-diabetes-why-showing-vulnerability-made-me-a-stronger-mom
Feb 14, 2026 | Healthy Foods
At Rays of Hope Support Initiative, our mission is to empower our community with the knowledge needed to live healthier, longer lives. Recently, scientific studies have raised alarms regarding a common sugar-free sweetener: erythritol.
For years, sugar-free sweeteners have been marketed as the guilt-free path to enjoying sweetness without consequences. Millions have switched to these alternatives, believing they are making the healthier choice for themselves and their families. However, emerging research now casts a shadow over this assumption, particularly regarding one of the most common sugar substitutes found in thousands of products worldwide.
Recent studies have revealed that certain artificial sweeteners—specifically those belonging to the sugar alcohol family—may accumulate in the liver rather than passing through the body as once believed. This accumulation appears to be linked to an increased risk of liver damage, fatty liver disease, and potential long-term hepatic complications.
For communities already facing health disparities, limited access to healthcare, and higher rates of metabolic conditions, this information is not just concerning—it is a call to action. This article aims to unpack what this means, examine the benefits and risks, and outline the responsibilities we all share in addressing this emerging public health concern.
What Is Sugar-Free Sweeteners, and Which One Is Under Scrutiny?
Sugar-free sweeteners encompass a broad category of substances used to sweeten foods and beverages without adding caloric sugar. They include:
- Artificial sweeteners: aspartame, sucralose, saccharin
- Natural zero-calorie sweeteners: stevia, monk fruit
- Sugar alcohols (polyols): Erythritol, xylitol, sorbitol, maltitol
The primary concern emerging from recent research centres on erythritol, a sugar alcohol that has become extraordinarily popular in keto, low-carb, and diabetic-friendly products. Erythritol occurs naturally in small amounts in fruits like watermelon and pears, but the version used in commercial products is manufactured through industrial fermentation.
Unlike other sugar alcohols that can cause digestive distress, erythritol was long celebrated because it is absorbed into the bloodstream and excreted unchanged in urine—or so scientists believed.
What the Research Actually Shows
A 2023 study published in Nature Medicine by Dr Stanley Hazen and his team at the Cleveland Clinic made a startling discovery: individuals with higher blood levels of erythritol were at significantly elevated risk for major adverse cardiovascular events, including heart attack and stroke.
But the liver connection has emerged through additional research examining how the body processes erythritol. Key findings include:
Accumulation, Not Elimination
While the body does excrete much of the consumed erythritol through urine, a portion appears to be taken up by liver tissue. In animal models and human tissue studies, erythritol has been detected in liver cells at concerning levels following regular consumption.
Metabolic Disruption
Erythritol appears to interfere with normal liver metabolism. It may promote oxidative stress—a form of cellular damage—and contribute to the development of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), a condition already reaching epidemic proportions globally.
Platelet Activation
Beyond the liver, erythritol has been shown to enhance platelet activation and clot formation, creating a dangerous combination where both cardiovascular and liver health are compromised.
Dose-Dependent Risk
The risk appears to increase with consumption. Individuals consuming multiple servings daily of products sweetened with erythritol showed significantly higher blood levels than those who consumed it occasionally.
The Merits: Why Erythritol Became So Popular
Understanding why erythritol gained such widespread acceptance helps explain why this news is both alarming and complicated.
For Individual Consumers
Blood Sugar Management: Erythritol does not raise blood glucose or insulin levels, making it genuinely valuable for diabetics and those managing metabolic syndrome.
Dental Health: Unlike sugar, erythritol does not feed cavity-causing bacteria. Some studies suggest it may even inhibit bacterial growth.
Digestive Tolerance: Unlike other sugar alcohols (sorbitol, maltitol), erythritol is less likely to cause gas, bloating, and diarrhoea because most is absorbed before reaching the colon.
Taste Profile: Erythritol provides about 70% of sugar’s sweetness with a taste and texture closer to sugar than many artificial sweeteners.
For Food Manufacturers
Bulk and Texture: Erythritol adds bulk and crystalline structure similar to sugar, making it valuable in baking.
Shelf Stability: It does not degrade under heat like some artificial sweeteners.
Clean Label Appeal: Derived from fermented glucose, it can be marketed as “natural” or “plant-based”.
Market Demand: With the explosion of keto and low-carb diets, manufacturers rushed to meet consumer demand for products that taste sweet without carbs or calories.
The Demerits: The Emerging Case Against Erythritol
The accumulating evidence demands we reconsider whether the benefits outweigh the newly discovered risks.
Health Risks
Liver Damage Potential: The most concerning finding for our community is the evidence that erythritol accumulates in liver tissue. Animal studies have demonstrated that high consumption leads to increased liver fat, inflammation, and markers of liver injury.
Cardiovascular Events: The Cleveland Clinic research found that individuals with the highest erythritol levels had double the risk of heart attack and stroke compared to those with the lowest levels.
Weight Management Irony: While erythritol contains no calories, emerging research on artificial sweeteners suggests they may disrupt the body’s natural ability to gauge caloric intake, potentially leading to increased overall consumption.
Unknown Long-Term Effects: Erythritol has only been widely used in significant quantities for about a decade. We do not know the effects of 20, 30, or 40 years of daily consumption.
Social and Access Concerns
Health Halo Effect: Products sweetened with erythritol are marketed as health foods, leading consumers to believe they are making an unambiguously positive choice.
Cost Barrier: Sugar-free products typically cost more than their conventional counterparts, placing financial burden on families trying to make healthier choices.
Limited Alternatives: As erythritol has become ubiquitous in sugar-free products, consumers have fewer options to avoid it while still avoiding sugar.
Confusing Labels: Erythritol may appear on ingredient lists under multiple names or be grouped under “sugar alcohols” without specific identification
Community Response: What We Can Do Together
The Rays of Hope community has always understood that health is not merely individual—it is collective. When new information emerges that threatens our wellbeing, we respond together.
Individual and Family Actions
Read Labels Diligently
Erythritol appears in protein bars, sugar-free chocolates, ice cream, baked goods, beverages, and even some condiments. Look specifically for “erythritol” in ingredient lists.
Distinguish Between Sweeteners
Not all sugar-free sweeteners carry the same risk. Stevia and monk fruit have not shown similar concerns. Consider rotating back toward these options or moderate amounts of natural sugar.
Reduce Frequency, Not Just Quantity
The research suggests risk is tied to regular, ongoing consumption. Using erythritol-sweetened products occasionally for special treats presents lower risk than daily consumption.
Focus on Whole Foods
The simplest way to avoid questionable additives is to prioritize foods that don’t require ingredient lists. Fresh fruit, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains contain no hidden erythritol.
Share Information Gently
Many community members switched to erythritol products on medical advice for diabetes or weight management. Approach conversations with compassion, not judgment.
Community-Based Strategies
Community Nutrition Workshops: Rays of Hope can organize sessions teaching label reading and identifying hidden sources of erythritol.
Peer Support Networks: Establish groups for sharing sugar-free alternatives that don’t rely on concerning sweeteners.
Local Vendor Engagement: Work with local stores and markets to help them understand why customers need clear labelling and alternative options.
Recipe Development: Create and share culturally appropriate recipes using safer sweetening options that respect dietary restrictions while protecting liver health.
Civil Society Organization Role: Advocacy and Education
As a CSO, Rays of Hope is positioned to bridge the gap between emerging research and community action. Our role extends beyond informing our immediate members to advocating for systemic change.
Educational Mission
Translate Complex Science: The research on erythritol is technical and often locked behind paywalls. Our responsibility is to translate this information into accessible, actionable knowledge.
Counteract Misinformation: The wellness industry has heavily promoted erythritol. We must provide balanced, evidence-based information that neither dismisses legitimate concerns nor causes panic.
Train Community Health Workers: Equip trusted community members with accurate information they can share in churches, mosques, community centres, and family gatherings.
Advocacy Agenda
Demand Transparency: Call on manufacturers to clearly label erythritol content rather than hiding it under umbrella terms.
Push for Updated Dietary Guidelines: Current dietary guidelines do not address erythritol consumption limits. CSOs can petition for their inclusion.
Fund Community-Based Research: Advocate for research that specifically examines how erythritol affects populations already at higher risk for liver and metabolic disease.
Create Consumer Guides: Develop and distribute easy-to-use guides comparing sweeteners with clear visual indicators of risk levels.
Government Response: Protecting Public Health
Governments at all levels have a fundamental responsibility to protect citizens from preventable harm, particularly when that harm originates from products widely available in the food supply.
Regulatory Actions Needed
Immediate Safety Review: Health agencies should conduct expedited reviews of all available evidence on erythritol and issue interim guidance while longer-term studies proceed.
Mandatory Labelling: Require clear, prominent labelling of erythritol content. Consumers cannot make informed choices when ingredients are obscured.
Serving Size Revaluation: Many products contain multiple servings of erythritol per package, but consumers often consume the entire package. Regulations should consider realistic consumption patterns.
Health Claims Regulation: Prohibit marketing that positions erythritol-sweetened products as unambiguously healthy given the emerging evidence of risk.
Public Health Infrastructure
Surveillance Systems: Incorporate erythritol consumption tracking into national nutrition and health monitoring systems.
Research Funding: Allocate resources specifically for independent research on sugar alcohols and liver health, free from industry influence.
Vulnerable Population Protection: Develop specific guidance for populations at elevated risk, including those with existing liver conditions, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease.
School and Institutional Policies: Review and revise nutrition standards for schools, hospitals, and other public institutions to limit erythritol exposure in vulnerable populations.
Lawmakers’ Role: Legislation for Prevention
Elected officials have tools at their disposal that can address this issue before it becomes a full-blown public health crisis. The lesson of tobacco, trans fats, and partially hydrogenated oils is clear: waiting for absolute certainty costs lives.
Legislative Priorities
The Sweetener Transparency Act: Legislation requiring that all sugar alcohols be individually named on ingredient labels rather than grouped. Consumers deserve to know exactly which sweeteners they are consuming.
Post-Market Surveillance Mandate: Unlike pharmaceutical drugs, food additives receive limited ongoing safety monitoring once approved. Lawmakers can mandate regular safety reviews as new evidence emerges.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Require disclosure of industry funding in research used to support health claims or safety petitions.
Healthy Food Incentives: Redirect subsidies and support toward whole foods and minimally processed options rather than ultra-processed “diet” products.
Oversight Responsibilities
Congressional Hearings: Hold hearings examining the adequacy of current food additive safety processes, specifically regarding sugar alcohols approved decades ago under different standards.
Agency Accountability: Demand that the FDA explain why emerging evidence on erythritol has not resulted in consumer advisories or regulatory action.
Whistleblower Protection: Strengthen protections for scientists and public health officials who raise concerns about food additive safety.
Balancing Caution Without Panic
It is essential to approach this information with nuance. For a person with diabetes who uses erythritol-sweetened products occasionally to satisfy a sweet craving, the risk remains low. For someone consuming multiple servings daily of protein bars, keto snacks, and sugar-free beverages sweetened with erythritol, the cumulative risk may be substantial.
We must also recognise that sugar itself carries well-documented health risks, including liver damage through fructose metabolism. The solution is not simply returning to unrestricted sugar consumption.
The path forward requires:
- Informed moderation rather than absolute prohibition
- Diversification of sweetener sources rather than over-reliance on any single option
- Whole food emphasis rather than additive substitution
- Systemic change rather than placing the full burden on individual consumers
Conclusion: From Information to Action
The emerging evidence linking erythritol to liver damage and cardiovascular risk represents a critical moment for our community and for public health advocacy. We have seen this pattern before—a substance is introduced, marketed as healthier than what came before, widely adopted, and only later revealed to carry its own serious risks.
What distinguishes this moment is what we choose to do with the information.
Rays of Hope has always been more than a source of information—we are a source of action. We inform so that we can protect. We educate so that we can empower. We advocate so that the most vulnerable among us are not left to navigate these complex decisions alone.
To our community members: Read labels, ask questions, share what you learn, and be gentle with yourselves and each other. No one made the wrong choice with the information they had.
To our CSO partners: Amplify this message, push for transparency, and hold industry and government accountable to the communities they serve.
To our government officials: Act on the evidence we have rather than waiting for absolute certainty. Issue guidance, mandate clear labelling, and fund the research we still need.
To our lawmakers: Create the legislative framework that ensures food safety systems keep pace with industry innovation and protect public health above corporate interests.
The sweetness we crave should not come at the cost of our liver’s health or our community’s wellbeing. Together, we can advocate for a food environment where health is not a luxury, information is not a privilege, and prevention is not an afterthought.
For more information or to get involved in our food safety advocacy work, contact Rays of Hope Support Initiative at [contact information] or visit our community health resource centre.
Remember! This article is for informational purposes and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult healthcare providers regarding individual dietary decisions.
Nov 14, 2025 | News
Benjamin Olorunfemi.
November 14th marks World Diabetes Day (WDD), a global awareness campaign led by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). This year’s theme, “Diabetes and Well-being”, focuses on the impact of diabetes in the workplace, with the slogan “Know more and do more for diabetes at work.”
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 830 million people worldwide live with diabetes, with the prevalence increasing rapidly, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. In Nigeria, an estimated 3.6 to 11 million adults have diabetes, with over 54% remaining undiagnosed.
Millions of people with diabetes face daily challenges managing their condition in the workplace, including stigma, discrimination, and exclusion, which negatively impact their well-being. Research has shown that:
– 7 to 10 people living with diabetes are of working age.
– 3 to 4 people living with diabetes experience anxiety, depression, or another mental health condition due to their diabetes.
– 4 to 5 people living with diabetes experience diabetes burnout
As we mark WDD 2025, we urge the global community and employers to support people living with diabetes and those at risk in the workplace. We encourage everyone to “know more and do more” to promote diabetes awareness, prevention, and management.
Rays of Hope Support Initiative (ROHSI) invites you to join us in raising awareness and advocating for diabetes. Participate in a diabetes walk, organise a community event, or support organisations providing essential services to people living with diabetes.
Take action today:
– Learn more about diabetes and its impact on well-being.
– Support diabetes awareness initiatives
– Encourage physical activity and healthy lifestyles
– Advocate for inclusive and supportive workplaces
Your health and well-being matter. Join us in creating a world where people living with diabetes can thrive. If you are unsure of your diabetes status, we encourage you to consult with your healthcare provider. Together, we can create a better DiabetesLife.
