It’s the fourth most common cause of cancer death in the United States. Called a “silent killer” for its symptom-free early stages, it’s unfortunately often not caught until it’s advanced.
Once someone gets a diagnosis, the chances of survival are generally pretty slim. Pancreatic cancer is an awful killer.
And your diabetes medication could be increasing your risk of developing it, according to a new study in the journal Gastroenterology.
UCLA researchers pored over FDA database entries of adverse events reported among patients using the drugs sitagliptin (brand name Januvia) and exenatide (brand name Byettta) between 2004 and 2009.
What they found is downright disturbing: a six-fold increase in the odds of pancreatitis (compared with four other diabetes therapies). They also found that patients taking the drugs may be more likely to end up with pancreatic cancer: a 2.7-fold increase associated with patients taking sitagliptin and a 2.9-fold increase in the rate of pancreatic cancer linked to patients taking exenatide.
They also found an increase in thyroid cancer risk with exenatide use.
The researchers were compelled to look into the pancreatic cancer connection after animal studies showed that the drugs caused abnormal growth of ducts in the pancreatic gland that carry digestive juices to the gut. They worried that if this happened in humans, it could translate to an increased risk of cancer. And, sadly, it looks like they could be right.
Both sitagliptin and exenatide enhance the action of a hormone called GLP-1, which lowers blood sugar. Now, here’s the kicker: Previous UCLA research, published in 2009, has suggested a link between these types of drugs and pancreatitis. Of course, nobody has done anything about it.
I don’t know about you, but I’m tired of “modern medicine” asking us to trade one disease for another. Why should you be asked to trade your diabetes in for a risk of deadly cancer? Especially when natural medicine offers so many safe and effective alternatives. The mainstream needs to stop pretending that those alternatives don’t exist.
Of course, I’m not holding my breath for that to happen anytime soon. In the meantime, I’ll keep uncovering the news they don’t want you to know.
Ms. O’Brien has written for Nutrition & Healing, Healthier Talk and a variety of other natural and alternative health outlets. She believes in the power of natural medicine and her goal is to open people’s eyes to the benefits of alternative and integrative medicine.
Christine is passionate about helping people help themselves without having to turn to harsh drugs or invasive surgeries.
Latest posts by Christine O'Brien (see all)
- Could your floor be making your kids sick? - November 11, 2015
- The common food that’s linked to losing your mind - October 30, 2015
- Slash your risk for this killer cancer in half with these superfoods - October 20, 2015
It is very disheartening!
I am diabetic 2 and today I am wondering: apart from metformin and insulin,which drugs actually could be both safe and effective? Thiazolidinediones, sulfonylureas are or seem dangerous. Metformin alone is not very effective in the long term.
How to find the solution?
Intense hypocaloric diet? Low carbohydrate diet? No any saturated fats? Physical training? Hormonal drugs (testosterone, DHEAs…), natural Health (chromium, vanadium, magnesium, vitamin C, fish oil, rutin, quercetin,…), phytonutrients (resveratrol, garlic, soya, fenugreek…) etc…?
What is the pharmacological Research doing in 2011? In practice?
Yes indeed, today, I am hopeless!
Don’t lose heart, Cordier! I am type 2 as well, but I reversed mine with diet (and have greatly increased my excercise). I began the 30 Day Diabetes Cure on 08/01/11 and was off my metformin by 08/03/11. Seriously. I have lost 15 pounds (10 of those in the first 10 days) and I eat better now than I did before–lean beef, chicken, seafood, pork and lots of fruit and vegetables. No more white flour and no more refined sugar. I feel great. You can do this!!!
Yes, doctors are not educated in health and many are just plain corrupt but you are no blameless ether.You seem unfed with no end too.
If you believe everything your doctor tells you, then you most likely believe in the Tooth Fairy, the Easter Bunny, AND in Santa himself.
I have been drinking Kangen water for awhile now, and my blood sugar has normalized, as well as my B/P. My wife had lower back pain for alot of years, and now she has NO pain in her body what-so-ever.. She also drinks Kangen water. Hint, hint.. Kangen water WORKS!! Kangen water DOES NOT cure anything, howevwer, if you put the ‘right thing’ in your body, it will heal itself. Nuff said.
What is the 30 day diabetes cure? could you post the web site so I can try it . am type 2 Diabetic on Metformin and having trouble kicking carbs. on 8/25/11 my A1C was 6.5 down from 8.3 last year.
thanks
I recommend “Diabetes Solution” by Dr. Bernstein
For Cordier – maybe this will help:
First, don’t panic. Many others have figured out how to handle type II diabetes without taking any drugs. You can too.
Second, whatever plan you decide to follow, consider that many, if not most, cases of Type II are the result of improper eating habits, plus some kind of vitamin/mineral deficiency, plus lack of exercise. Fix these three things and you can probably solve the problem very easily.
Third, regarding the vitamin/mineral deficiencies, you can have yourself tested, or you can just use common sense. Studies reveal that most people, even those without diabetes II, are deficient in a few important vitamins and minerals. Here’s the short list:
D3
B1
Magnesium
Chromium
These can be purchased at low cost from a pharmacy or health food store. Start taking them immediately, and make sure to give it at least 3 to 6 months for them to have the proper effect on your system.
Side notes on vitamins/minerals:
For B1, look for something called Benfotiamine. It’s a fat-soluble form of B1. Regular B1 is water soluble, and you really can’t take enough of it to work. But with benfotiamine one or two capsules a day does the trick.
For Chromium, try to find GTF (glucose tolerance factor) chromium. It seems to be much more effective than normal chromium (piccolinate).
For the D3, make sure you get D3, and not D2, which is much less effective.
Fourthly, you can try some herbs. I’ve gotten good results with cinnamon and something called gymnema.
Fifthly, for diet, do two basic things:
1. cut out all sugars and junk foods
2. keep your carbohydrates down to as little as possible. Less than 25 grams a day, if you can. Start checking the nutrition labels on food you buy in the market. Stay away from bread, tomatoes, and other non-obvious sources of carbs.
3. don’t eat too much, and never eat after 7 PM.
Fixing my diet and taking the supplements enabled me to get my fasting blood sugar down from 270 to 95-100, and my A1c down from 9.4 to 6.5 in eight months, without exercise. Can’t ask for more…
Keep learning about type II diabetes by checking websites such as Healthier Talk and others. There are a few more good ones out there. Read everything you can, and use your head.
Hope this helps. And stop worrying about which drugs to take. You probably don’t need any of them.
Gary/
Thank you all, with all my heart.
It is very hard to me to keep my carbohydrates down. I confess that discipline is a word I don’t know really.
The book could also be of interest for me.
Thank you once more for your support.