Evidence shows that patients with prediabetes or diabetes at the time of cancer diagnosis have significantly lower survival rates than those without diabetes.
In addition, patients may also have an increased risk of developing prediabetes or diabetes after a cancer diagnosis, which may result from the complex interaction of multiple factors. Common lifestyle changes following cancer diagnosis—such as alterations in diet, smoking habits, and physical activity levels—can all affect glucose metabolism and control. Meanwhile, cancer treatment-related factors can also induce hyperglycemia. Chemotherapy, glucocorticoids, and other therapies can impair glucose metabolism, thereby increasing the risk of developing prediabetes or diabetes after cancer diagnosis.
Several large cohort studies have demonstrated that cancer patients face a significantly higher risk of new-onset prediabetes or diabetes. This elevated risk further increases the likelihood of cardiovascular disease, second primary cancers, and all-cause mortality. Therefore, effective management of hyperglycemia after a cancer diagnosis is clinically important for improving patient prognosis.