MEDICAL notes
DIABETES CANCER RISK
DIABETES is linked with an increased risk of developing cancer, particularly among women, new research suggests.
A review of 47 studies involving almost 20 million people has shown for the first time that women with the condition are at a greater risk than men of developing any form of the disease, the authors said. They warned the gender differences were “not insignificant” and needed addressing.
The research by The George Institute for Global Health, an affiliate of the University of Oxford, found women with diabetes are 27% more likely to develop cancer than women without the condition.
Diabetes among men was linked with a 19% higher risk, according to the findings published in journal Diabetologia.
Overall, the researchers found women with diabetes are 6% more likely to develop any form of cancer than men with diabetes.
Co-author Dr Sanne Peters, of the George Institute, said: “Historically we know that women are often undertreated when they first present with symptoms of diabetes, are less likely to receive intensive care and are not taking the same levels of medications as men.
“All of these could go some way into explaining why women are at greater risk of developing cancer. But, without more research we can’t be certain.
“The differences we found are not insignificant and need addressing.”
GET THE BOOZE-FREE BEERS IN
SALES of alcohol-free beer have surged 64% in a year – the result, say analysts, of improved recipes and greater awareness of health risks. The trend is especially marked among the over-45s.
By law, ‘alcohol-free’ or no-alcohol beer can contain a very small amount of alcohol (less than 0.05%). This is because some alcohol naturally forms as part of the brewing process.
The amount of alcohol in a drink is shown as a percentage of the whole drink.
On all alcoholic drinks you’ll see the alcohol by volume (ABV) measure.
There are four types: Alcohol-free beer = no more than 0.05% ABV; De-alcoholised beer = no more than 0.5% ABV; Lowalcohol beer = no more than 1.2% ABV; Alcoholic beer = contains more than 1.2% ABV.