Statement from the American Institute for Cancer Research (AICR) Regarding the ACS/ADA Consensus Report on Diabetes and Cancer

WASHINGTON, DC -- All of us at the American Institute for Cancer Research welcome today's consensus report on the link between diabetes and cancer released by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) and the American Cancer Society (ACS). The consensus paper is a much-needed review of evidence that has been gathering for some time. This evidence reveals the extent to which diabetes and cancer share many of the same risk factors: overweight and obesity, lack of physical activity and poor diets.

AICR is the cancer charity dedicated to funding research on, and educating the public about, everyday steps that lower cancer risk. We are pleased that today's report will help raise public awareness that these same straightforward changes to diet, physical activity and body weight also help lower risk for diabetes (predominantly Type II).

As the report notes, understanding the underlying links between the two diseases is difficult, and questions remain about the relative roles of inflammation, insulin resistance and other factors. "No matter what the science ultimately reveals about the specifics of the body's physiology, we already know what we need to do to lower risk for both cancer and diabetes," said AICR's Alice Bender, MS, RD. "Eat a healthy, varied, predominantly plant-based diet, be physically active every day and maintain a healthy body weight."

NOTE: AICR has written about the diabetes-cancer connection often, over the years. In August, we will produce AICR InDepth: The Diabetes-Cancer Connection, the latest background paper in our series for health professionals and educators. The paper will review this and other evidence on the diabetes-cancer connection and place it in a "bottom-line" practical application context for use with patients , clients and the general public. Interested health professionals can sign up for our HPE eCommunity.