Diabetes and colon cancer linked

A team of researchers at the National University of Singapore have uncovered a strong link between diabetes and colorectal cancer in Singapore.
The study will appear in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute, and focused on data from over 60,000 subjects. The participants in the study provided detailed information about lifestyle, medical issues and diet. The study then closely followed the participants over the course of several years. The study group consisted of ethnic Chinese subjects residing in Singapore.
During the follow-up period, 636 patients developed colorectal cancer, and it was found that diabetes sufferers were considerably more likely to contract the disease. High calorie intake and low physical exercise levels were perceived as being further risk factors.
The study concluded by highlighting the clear link between the development of colon cancer and the presence of high insulin levels in the bloodstream. The results of the study support other results from similar studies carried out in Western countries on Western subjects.
Poorly-controlled diabetes can lead to numerous complications over time. Diabetics are advised to maintain appropriate levels of exercise and to eat a healthy diet.