Gestational diabetes does not increase breast cancer risk, study finds

A recent study has found that gestational diabetes does not elevate the risk of developing breast cancer, providing reassurance to millions of women worldwide. This significant research will be presented at the upcoming Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes.

Gestational diabetes, a condition that affects nearly 15% of pregnant women globally, has long been a subject of concern due to its association with various long-term health risks. These include a heightened likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease, chronic kidney disease, and certain mental health conditions. However, the link between gestational diabetes and breast cancer, the most common cancer among women, has remained unclear until now.

Women who are older, living with obesity, or have a family history of diabetes are at a greater risk of developing gestational diabetes. This condition, characterised by insulin resistance, has been the focus of much research due to its potential to trigger a range of health issues.

Dr Maria Hornstrup Christensen, the senior author of the study, emphasised the importance of understanding breast cancer risk factors. “Breast cancer is the most common cancer, as well as the leading cause of cancer deaths in women worldwide. It also has a very high treatment cost compared with other cancer types. If we know who is more likely to develop breast cancer, we might be able to detect it earlier when it is easier to treat, reducing deaths and treatment costs and the psychological and physical toll on women,” she said.

To investigate the potential connection between gestational diabetes and breast cancer, a team of researchers conducted an extensive study involving 708,121 women who gave birth in Denmark. Out of these, more than 24,000 women developed gestational diabetes during one or more of their pregnancies. The health outcomes of these women were tracked over an average period of 11 years, during which 7,609 cases of breast cancer were recorded.

The study’s findings revealed that women who had experienced gestational diabetes were no more likely to develop breast cancer than those who had not. This result is particularly significant given the concern surrounding insulin resistance, a key feature of gestational diabetes, which has also been linked to breast cancer in prior studies.

Dr Christensen remarked on the study’s implications, stating, “It will be reassuring for women who have had gestational diabetes to know that they are not at higher risk of developing breast cancer.”

She added a note of caution, however, highlighting the need for continued vigilance regarding other health risks. “They do, however, need to be alert to the fact that they are at higher risk of some conditions, including type 2 diabetes. And all women, regardless of whether or not they have had gestational diabetes, should be breast aware and check their breasts regularly for changes.”

This research provides a new understanding of the health implications of gestational diabetes, offering relief to many while underscoring the importance of ongoing health monitoring and awareness. The study represents a significant step forward in our understanding of the relationship between gestational diabetes and long-term health outcomes.