Diabetes could reveal pancreatic cancer

In the diabetes could reveal pancreatic cancer new collective imagination, pancreatic cancer is often perceived as “silent cancer”. Moreover. Meanwhile, And for good reason, more than 80 diabetes could reveal pancreatic cancer % of cases are discovered at an advanced stage, often inoperable. Nevertheless, In France. Nevertheless. there are nearly 16,000 new cases per year, with a 5 -year survival rate that flows sadly at 11 % according to Public Health France.

But a series of international studies. Moreover. relayed in particular by the National Cancer American Institute and the University of Yale, begins to draw a precious track: type 2 diabetes of recent appearance could be a sign of early alert. However, Clearly, in some patients, diabetes would not be a simple coincidence … Furthermore, but a direct side effect of the pancreatic tumor in development.

Diabetes. Similarly. pancreatic cancer: what studies show – Diabetes could reveal pancreatic cancer – Diabetes could reveal pancreatic cancer new

1 in diabetes could reveal pancreatic cancer new 4 people with pancreatic cancer had recent diabetes – Diabetes could reveal pancreatic cancer

A meta-analysis published in Gastroenterology in 2020 reveals that almost 25 % of people diagnosed with pancreatic cancer had developed diabetes diabetes could reveal pancreatic cancer in the previous 6 to 36 months. Consequently, But beware, this does not mean that all diabetics risk cancer.

In reality, less than 1 % of people diagnosed with diabetes after 50 years will develop pancreatic cancer. The absolute risk therefore remains low. even if the relative risk is multiplied by 6 to 8 in the first two years after the appearance. of diabetes according to the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Three clinical signs that must alert – Diabetes could reveal pancreatic cancer

Not all diabetes are suspect, far from it. But some clinical profiles should encourage to dig:

• A diabetes that suddenly appears diabetes could reveal pancreatic cancer new after 50 years. If you had no history, no major overweight, and you declare diabetes after 50 years, it is already a small signal.
• A blood sugar that climbs very quickly. An abnormally high blood sugar level. which deteriorates quickly in a few months, is atypical diabetes could reveal pancreatic cancer for a conventional diabetes.
• Unexplained weight loss. And above all, if you lose weight without diet, while having high blood sugar, it is paradoxical. This may indicate that the pancreas suffers much more than we think.

These three criteria are met in a clinical score used in research, the EndPac score, to help identify suspicious cases.

Towards targeted screening. but not generalized

Systematic screening: not for immediately

Today. no country recommends making an MRI or a pancreatic scanner to all diabetics over 50. For what ? Because cancer remains rare, and exams diabetes could reveal pancreatic cancer new are expensive, expose to unnecessary risks, and can generate anxiety.

But in patients at high risk, the situation is changing.

Current pilot projects

American. European research centers are testing targeted approaches. with MRIs offered only to diabetics with several risk factors at the same time.

A study conducted in Yale diabetes could reveal pancreatic cancer on 109 patients made it possible to detect pancreatic. cancer at stage 1 in a patient. thanks to this selective screening.

What about blood tests then?

A blood test called Avantect is being validated in the United Kingdom. It targets diabetics over 50 recently diagnosed.
It displays interesting performances:

• 68 % sensitivity (detects cancers present),
• 97 % specificity (avoids false positives).

If it is validated. this test could become a simple and accessible solution to filter people really at risk before considering a scanner.

And diabetes could reveal pancreatic cancer new in France, what do we do?

In France, projects like PRISM or research from the Gustave Roussy Center aim to identify high -risk profiles. For the moment, the priority remains to raise awareness among health professionals.

The reflex is still too rare. In many cases, diabetes is treated without digging more … while a small exam could diabetes could reveal pancreatic cancer save a life.

NAMELY

In some people. diabetes is not a coincidence but a direct effect of cancer: we then speak of type 3C diabetes. linked to an attack on the pancreas. According to a study published in Pancreas (2021). up to 38 % of recent diabetes in patients with pancreatic cancer would be of this particular type. often confused with a classic type 2.

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