Cancer Survivors Face Increased Diabetes Risk: New Study Raises Alarms

A groundbreaking study has revealed that childhood and young adult cancer (CYAC) survivors face a significantly higher risk of developing diabetes later in life, with certain treatments identified as major contributors.

Researchers from the University of Leeds examined over 4,200 UK-based cancer survivors, linking total body irradiation (TBI), corticosteroid therapy, and allogeneic stem cell transplants to a much greater likelihood of diabetes onset.

The study underscores an urgent need for long-term health monitoring in cancer survivors, particularly those who underwent high-risk treatments. Experts warn that without targeted screenings and interventions, this growing population of survivors could face severe metabolic complications in adulthood.

Survivors at Risk: The Numbers Are Clear

The findings are stark—3.8% of CYAC survivors developed diabetes over a median follow-up period of 14.4 years. However, the risk skyrocketed for those exposed to TBI, reaching 21% over a 40-year period, compared to just 8.4% for those not subjected to the treatment. Similarly, patients who received allogeneic stem cell transplants had a 25.7% risk of developing diabetes within the same timeframe.

While cranial and abdominal radiotherapy did not show a direct link to diabetes in the general cohort, the study found that childhood cancer survivors diagnosed between the ages of 0–14 years had a higher incidence of diabetes when treated with abdominal irradiation.

Lifelong Health Challenges for Cancer Survivors

The dramatic improvements in cancer treatments have increased survival rates, leading to a growing number of long-term CYAC survivors. However, their journey does not end with remission. By age 40, nearly 75% of childhood cancer survivors develop at least one chronic health condition, including diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and organ dysfunction.

Study Methodology: A Comprehensive Review

Researchers analyzed cancer registry data and linked it to national healthcare records to track diabetes diagnoses using clinical coding and HbA1c levels. Standardized cumulative incidence functions helped quantify the long-term diabetes risk posed by different cancer treatments.

The study aligns with findings from similar research conducted in the U.S., Canada and Scandinavia, reinforcing the conclusion that CYAC survivors have a 55–60% increased risk of developing diabetes compared to the general population. The new research also sheds light on how risk levels fluctuate over time and across different age groups.

A Call to Action: New Guidelines Needed

Given the evidence linking specific cancer treatments to diabetes, researchers are calling for more aggressive health monitoring strategies tailored to CYAC survivors. Medical professionals are urged to integrate routine diabetes screenings into post-cancer care, especially for patients treated with TBI, corticosteroids or hematopoietic stem cell transplants.

Beyond healthcare professionals, policymakers also have a role to play. Experts suggest implementing national screening programs and revising clinical guidelines to provide long-term surveillance for cancer survivors.

Hope for the Future: Research and Interventions

As research continues to shed light on the long-term consequences of cancer treatments, efforts are underway to find interventions that can reduce diabetes risk among survivors. Studies are exploring whether lifestyle modifications, targeted medications, or early metabolic screenings could help mitigate the impact of past cancer treatments on survivors’ health.

For survivors, the message is clear: proactive monitoring and early interventions could be life-saving. With continued research and policy changes, the hope is that future generations of cancer survivors will not have to face the same heightened risks.

Key Insights:

The study serves as a crucial reminder that surviving cancer is only part of the battle. As more people live beyond childhood and young adult cancer diagnoses, addressing their long-term health risks must become a priority for medical professionals, researchers, and policymakers alike.

Without urgent action, thousands of cancer survivors could face preventable health crises in the coming decades.

For now, survivors and healthcare providers alike are being urged to stay vigilant, ensuring that diabetes screenings become a standard part of post-cancer healthcare. With improved awareness and structured care programs, there is hope that these risks can be managed more effectively in the future.

By - Eeshan Aggarwal

Reference:

Cromie KJ, Murray RD, Ajjan RA, Hughes NF, Feltbower RG, Glaser AW. Diabetes Risk After Treatment for Childhood and Young Adult Cancer. Diabetes Care. 2025 Jan 24:dc242171.