Diabetes Linked to Breast Cancer, Study Says

FOX 2 is working for your health with another reason for women, in particular, to keep their blood sugar in check. A new study found women recently diagnosed with diabetes are also more likely to get a breast cancer diagnosis.

Canadian researchers tracked about 170,000 women, half of whom had been recently diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. The researchers found among women 55 and older, those who had been diagnosed with diabetes in the previous three months were about a third more likely to be diagnosed with breast cancer.

The study's author said one possible explanation for the link is the changes in insulin and blood sugar levels that come with diabetes make it easier for breast tumors to grow.

Previous studies found people with diabetes do have a higher risk of colorectal, liver and pancreatic cancers, along with breast cancer.