The increased risk of cancer in obesity and type 2 diabetes: Potential mechanisms

Abstract

Theories on a connection between diabetes, obesity, and cancer have existed for over a century. In 1910, despite their elusive etiologies, Maynard hypothesized that a correlation between diabetes and cancer could exist, as both conditions were increasing in prevalence and had similar age distributions. In this chapter, we review the epidemiology linking obesity, diabetes, and cancer incidence and mortality and discuss some of the physiological changes that occur in obesity and type 2 diabetes that may contribute to cancer growth and metastases.