London: Diabetics have an increased risk of developing breast and colon cancer, a new study has warned. Researchers at the Erasmus University Medical Centre in Rotterdam and colleagues found that patients with diabetes had a 23 per cent increased risk of developing breast cancer and a 38 per cent increased risk of dying from the disease compared to non-diabetic patients. Diabetic patients also had a 26 per cent increased risk of developing colon cancer and a 30 per cent increased risk of dying from it.

"Our meta-analysis is the first to combine incidence and death from breast and colon cancer, while excluding all other causes of death. We have investigated the link between diabetes and the risk of developing as well as the risk of dying from these cancers," said Dr Kirstin De Bruijn from the Erasmus University Medical Centre. The study analysed results from 20 trials that had taken place between 2007 and 2012, involving more than 1.9 million patients with breast or colon cancer, with or without diabetes.

"The results for breast and colon cancer incidence in patients with diabetes are consistent with other meta-analyses. Furthermore, this meta-analysis shows a higher risk and a stronger association between diabetes and death from breast and colon cancer than previously reported," said De Bruijn. The findings will be presented to the 2013 European Cancer Congress in Amsterdam.