New-Onset Diabetes and Pancreatic Cancer: An Important Link

• Pancreatic cancer is a tough disease to catch early because it doesn’t always cause clear symptoms right away. Still, noticing changes in your body can be important, and new-onset diabetes might be one of those signs to pay attention to.

  Each year, more than a million Americans are diagnosed with diabetes. Most people with diabetes do not go on to develop pancreatic cancer. However, research shows about 25% of people with pancreatic cancer were diagnosed with diabetes before their cancer was found. This link is worth understanding.

  What the Pancreas Does

  To understand the link, it helps to know what the pancreas does.

  “The pancreas is a gland deep in the abdomen with two main jobs,” explains Dr. Sanjay S. Reddy, a surgical oncologist and the Division Chief in Surgical Oncology at Fox Chase Cancer Center.

  • Digestion: The pancreas makes enzymes that help break down food so the body can absorb nutrients.
  • Blood sugar control: It also makes insulin and glucagon, two hormones that help keep blood sugar levels stable.

  When a person has diabetes, their pancreas either doesn’t make enough insulin or their body has trouble using the insulin it makes. In rare cases, diabetes may be triggered by a tumor in the pancreas, which keeps it from making enough insulin.

  “New-onset diabetes should always be checked by your primary care doctor,” says Dr. Reddy. “Blood tests and sometimes imaging, like a CT scan or ultrasound, can help find other causes. If there’s a mass in the pancreas, it could be causing the diabetes.”

  Diabetes Caused by Pancreatic Cancer

  Diabetes caused by pancreatic cancer may show up differently than other types. For example, people with this type of diabetes might experience:

  • Quick changes in blood sugar: Usually, type 2 diabetes develops slowly over time as blood sugar levels rise. With pancreatic cancer, blood sugar can rise more quickly.
  • Unexpected weight loss: Losing weight without trying, especially if blood sugar levels stay high, can be a warning sign.
  • Older age at diagnosis: Diabetes caused by pancreatic cancer usually appears in people age 50 or older.

  Diabetes as a Risk for Pancreatic Cancer

  While new-onset diabetes can sometimes be a sign of pancreatic cancer, having diabetes for many years can also increase the risk. Poorly controlled diabetes can lead to ongoing inflammation, which can make it easier for cancer cells to grow.

  “Worsening diabetes, despite healthy eating, regular exercise, and proper medications, can be concerning,” Dr. Reddy says. “If your blood sugar becomes harder to control, speak with your doctor.”

  When to See a Doctor

  If you developed diabetes quickly, especially at age 50 or older, it’s a good idea to talk with your doctor about your risk for pancreatic cancer. This is even more important if you have other risk factors like being overweight, smoking, or having a family history of pancreatic cancer.

  Dr. Reddy encourages everyone to know the early signs of pancreatic cancer, whether they have diabetes or not. Symptoms may include yellowing of the eyes and skin (jaundice), chalky or floating stools, and unexpected weight loss.

  “Being proactive about your health is essential,” Dr. Reddy says.

  To schedule an appointment with a pancreatic cancer expert at Fox Chase, call 888-369-2427 or request an appointment online.