The same metabolic factors that fuel diabetes may also be opening the door for skin cancers to develop and thrive.
Diabetes and skin cancer represent two growing global health challenges with surprising connections at the biological level.
A retrospective study from Taiwan evaluating 41,898 patients with type 2 diabetes found that the incidence ratio for cutaneous malignancies was notably higher in diabetic patients over 60 years of age compared to the healthy population 1 .
Chronic high blood sugar creates multiple problems that can encourage cancer growth. Glucose is now recognized as a master regulator of tissue differentiation 5 .
Research from Stanford Medicine revealed that glucose levels increase significantly as cells transition from stem cells to specialized cells, separate from glucose's role as an energy source 5 .
Elevated insulin levels in type 2 diabetes activate signaling pathways such as MAPK and JAK-STAT, which are crucial for regulating cellular growth, angiogenesis, and metastasis 1 .
Recent research has identified a specific molecular pathway connecting diabetic tissue damage to complications that may influence cancer development. The interaction between RAGE and DIAPH1 enables organ damage in diabetes 3 .
A 2025 study found that more than half (58%) of all melanoma patients had abnormal fasting blood glucose levels, and even when excluding patients with known diabetes, 56% still showed non-normal levels. Perhaps most concerning was that 7% of patients without known diabetes had glucose levels indicative of possible undiagnosed diabetes 6 .
Analysis of thousands of biomolecules in human skin stem cells as they differentiated into mature keratinocytes 5 .
Measurement of cells' uptake of fluorescent or radioactive glucose analogs to confirm findings 5 .
Investigation extended to other human cell types and mice genetically engineered to express fluorescent glucose sensors 5 .
Use of glucose analogs that cannot be broken down for energy to separate glucose's structural role from its metabolic function 5 .
| Traditional Role of Glucose | Newly Discovered Role |
|---|---|
| Energy source through metabolism | Direct regulator of gene expression |
| Quantity decreases with lower energy needs | Levels increase during differentiation |
| Broken down into metabolic byproducts | Binds intact to signaling proteins |
| Supports general cellular functions | Specifically promotes differentiation |
Dr. Khavari's insight: "We're seeing glucose acting like a broadcast signal in the cell, in contrast to the highly specific signaling cascades that drive many cellular functions. When glucose levels rise in a cell, they rise everywhere, all at once. It's like a fire alarm going off in a firehouse. Everyone in the firehouse activates in response" 5 .
Metformin, the most widely prescribed pill for type 2 diabetes, appears to provide significant protection against non-melanoma skin cancers 7 . A recent study comparing over 8,000 people diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma and more than 4,100 patients with squamous cell cancer against healthy controls found that metformin users had significantly lower risks of developing both common skin cancers 7 .
Track glucose uptake and localization without metabolism
Test hypotheses about specific genes in living systems
Identify and quantify thousands of biomolecules simultaneously
Use genetic variants to infer causal relationships
Block specific protein interactions that cause diabetic damage
Combine results from multiple studies for robust conclusions
The growing evidence connecting diabetes and skin cancers signals a need for more integrated healthcare approaches.
The high prevalence of elevated glucose levels in melanoma patients (58%) suggests routine glucose screening for cancer patients and regular skin examinations for diabetic patients 6 .
Since obesity, unhealthy diet, smoking, and sedentary lifestyle are shared risk factors, addressing these provides dual protection 1 .
The potential protective effects of metformin against skin cancers might influence treatment choices for diabetic patients at high risk for skin malignancies 7 .
As research continues to unravel the complex relationship between these conditions, one thing becomes increasingly clear: the body's systems are intimately connected, and understanding these connections may lead to better prevention and treatment strategies for both diabetes and skin cancer.