Relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and breast cancer. An Integrative Review

Authors

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer cells have a great need for glucose due to their high multiplication rate. This phenomenon is known as the Warburg effect. This link between breast cancer and diabetes mellitus type 2 is because the inability to regulate blood glucose levels can provide the perfect environment for cancer cell growth.
Objective:
To analyze the relationship between diabetes mellitus type 2 and breast cancer.
Methods:
An integrative literature review of the literature was carried out using MeSH descriptors and terms such as: women; Diabetes mellitus type 2; breast cancer. A total of 1 436 articles in databases and official documents were reviewed, and relevant sources were selected using Mendeley Desktop 1.19.4. and 92 articles were selected.
Results:
There is consensus on the relationship between diabetes and breast cancer. Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for the development of breast cancer. Both diseases share non-modifiable risk factors (age and sex), modifiable risk factors (diet, physical activity, alcoholism, among others), and biological conditions (hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia). It is the duty of professionals who care for patients with diabetes to know about the risk and biological factors, as well as whether they suffer from breast cancer associated with diabetes mellitus.
Conclusions: There is consensus on the relationship between diabetes mellitus type 2 and breast cancer. Diabetes mellitus is a risk factor for the development of breast cancer. Both diseases share non-modifiable risk factors (age and sex), modifiable risk factors (diet, physical activity, alcoholism, among others), and biological conditions (hyperglycemia and hyperinsulinemia).
DeCS:BREAST NEOPLASMS; DIABETES MELLITUS, TYPE 2; RISK FACTORS; WOMEN; REVIEW.

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Author Biography

Ydalsys Naranjo-Hernández, Instituto Superior Politécnico de Bié. Cuito. Bié, Angola.

Doctora en Ciencias de la Enfermería, Especialista en Enfermería Comunitaria. Profesora Titular. Instituto Superior Politécnico de Bie. Angola

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Published

2025-07-07

How to Cite

1.
Naranjo-Hernández Y, Labañino-Griñán D, Gómez-Hernández R. Relationship between type 2 diabetes mellitus and breast cancer. An Integrative Review. Arch méd Camagüey [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 7 [cited 2025 Aug. 3];29:e10261. Available from: https://revistaamc.sld.cu/index.php/amc/article/view/10261

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Review Articles