How are Cancer and Diabetes linked?

For patients with cancer, diabetes management usually takes a backseat, while cancer treatment comes first. Studies show that 8% to 18% of cancer patients have diabetes. While managing blood sugar levels may not seem like a priority, taking care of it can improve the overall health of the patient and reduce the impact it has on the other organs, contributing to the strengthening of the patient, especially when diabetes causes symptoms like dehydration, which is also a side effect to chemotherapy.

Also Read: Anti-Cancer Diet

Research also shows that people with Type II diabetes are more likely to have cancer than people without diabetes, so it is vital to maintain blood sugar levels. Maintaining a diabetic-friendly diet, along with a healthy weight, will ensure that diabetes doesnt stand in the way of cancer treatment and more effective results.

Food cancer patients with diabetes should avoid

Amongst all the food groups, carbohydrates are the most harmful for people with diabetes. The reason behind this is that carbohydrates convert into glucose which gets directly in the bloodstream. Of the three types of carbohydrates, sugar and starch also increase blood sugar levels drastically. Fibre, on the other hand, doesnt have this effect and is the healthier type.

Maintaining a low carbohydrate diet and avoiding foods like sugary, aerated drinks, fried foods like chips and fries, and cakes and muffins that contain starch can help in controlling sudden spikes in blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of complications related to diabetes.

Dietary fibre for diabetic cancer patients

Including fibre in the diet could be helpful for diabetic patients since it doesnt aggravate blood sugar levels. The required fibre intake for an average adult is 25-30 grams a day, and there are a lot of healthy and nutritious foods like oats, peas, apples, beans, citrus fruit, Whole wheat flour, nuts and vegetables that are rich in fibre that cancer patients can take.

Although fibre is an excellent alternative to carbohydrates, too much fibre can aggravate symptoms like loose motion and patients with stomach cancer may not be able to consume it.

Also Read: Anti-Cancer Foods

Ideal food types for cancer patients with diabetes

Understanding the glycemic index of food will help in understanding which food is suitable for consumption by patients. The Glycemic index is the value of food based on how quickly or slowly a food can increase blood sugar levels. Food with a low glycemic index scores less than 55 and takes relatively longer to improve blood sugar levels.

Egg

There are a lot of benefits to consuming eggs for cancer patients with diabetes. Eggs are rich in protein and have a low glycemic index. It is also the source of 9 amino acids that the human body cant produce. Eggs are also a good source of potassium which will

help in hair regrowth after chemotherapy.

Egg yolks also have high cholesterol content, so diabetic patients should consume eggs only thrice a week. Consumption of egg whites is okay.

Fruits, vegetables and dairy products

While fruits usually contain minimal carbohydrates and are highly nutritious, they also have high sugar content. It is safer for diabetic patients to consume Fruits like apples and moderately ripe bananas that have low glycemic index.

For the most part, vegetables have a low glycemic index except for vegetables like potatoes and yam. Some examples of vegetables suitable for consumption are cabbage, green peas, onions, lettuce, green beans, tomatoes, cucumbers, broccoli etc.

Although dairy products play an essential role in maintaining a balanced diet, it's not suitable for diabetics due to carbohydrates. Yoghurt, curd and buttermilk in moderation for some balance in the diet is right.

Non-vegetarian food options

When it comes to the consumption of meat, lean meat is advised because they are low in trans and saturated fat and are extremely good for cancer patients. Chicken without skin, turkey, fish and other seafood are suitable for consumption daily to meet the protein requirements of the patient. This is especially beneficial for cancer patients.

General guidelines to be followed by diabetic cancer patients

Based on the type of cancer, the persons health condition and the type of diabetes they have, the amount and type of food a person should consume differs. Breaking down daily food into smaller and more frequent meals throughout the day can help diabetic patients maintain a steadier blood sugar level. Beverages like tea and coffee are known to contain caffeine that reduces the bodys ability to consume insulin, and diabetic patients are generally advised to avoid them.

Apart from these dietary factors, a persons blood sugar level may not decrease even though they strictly follow their diet. This may be because the blood sugar levels are influenced by factors other than food, such as stress due to treatment, medications and therapies that are prescribed as part of the process etc. Enquiring about doubts that the patient may have about their blood sugar levels to their nutritionist based on their health records will help in having a clearer idea about their health and aid in a more wholesome recovery.

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Reference:

1. Giovannucci E, Harlan DM, Archer MC, Bergenstal RM, Gapstur SM, Habel LA, Pollak M, Regensteiner JG, Yee D. Diabetes and cancer: a consensus report. Diabetes Care. 2010 Jul;33(7):1674-85. doi: 10.2337/dc10-0666. PMID: 20587728; PMCID: PMC2890380.
2. Shahid RK, Ahmed S, Le D, Yadav S. Diabetes and Cancer: Risk, Challenges, Management and Outcomes. Cancers (Basel). 2021 Nov 16;13(22):5735. doi: 10.3390/cancers13225735. PMID: 34830886; PMCID: PMC8616213.