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Diabetes May Worsen Ovarian Cancer Outcomes for Women

Diabetes doesn't directly cause ovarian cancer, but it can fuel growth and complicate treatment. Managing blood sugar levels may improve outcomes.

In this picture we can see a woman standing in the snow. There are a few trees covered with a snow.
In this picture we can see a woman standing in the snow. There are a few trees covered with a snow.

Diabetes May Worsen Ovarian Cancer Outcomes for Women

A new study cautions that diabetes may exacerbate outcomes for women with ovarian cancer. The most prevalent form, epithelial ovarian cancer, could experience accelerated growth and malignancy due to insulin resistance resulting from diabetes.

Researchers discovered that diabetes does not directly elevate the risk of ovarian cancer. Nevertheless, both conditions share common risk factors like obesity and specific genetic predispositions. Diabetes can induce insulin resistance, which may stimulate cancer growth and spread, including in the ovaries.

Ovarian cancer treatment can also present challenges for individuals with diabetes. Heightened blood sugar levels, a consequence of both conditions, can complicate treatment and lead to additional health issues. Women with both conditions typically have shorter life expectancies and periods of remission.

Factors augmenting the risk of ovarian cancer encompass a family history of the disease, more menstrual cycles, infertility, and obesity. Conversely, full-term pregnancy before age 26, multiple pregnancies, breastfeeding, use of birth control pills, and tubal ligation can decrease the risk.

The study emphasizes the significance of managing diabetes for women with ovarian cancer. Improved control of blood sugar levels may enhance treatment outcomes and life expectancy. Further research is required to comprehend the intricate interplay between diabetes and ovarian cancer.

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