Postmenopausal women with diabetes have a higher risk of invasive cancer and cancer death, according to an analysis of nearly 146,000 individuals who were part of the Women's Health Initiative.

Investigators looked at the link between diabetes diagnosis or duration of medication use with incidence of cancer. Specifically, they analyzed the link by recency of diabetes and duration of metformin use. Among the results:

• People with diabetes were at 13% higher risk of total invasive cancer. They also had an up to 2-fold higher risk of several site-specific cancers, and were 46% more likely to die from cancer.

• Metformin users had a lower risk of cancer death than those who took other medications; specifically, those taking metformin had an 8% higher risk of death, vs users of other medications, who had a 45% higher risk.

• Lower cancer risk seen with metformin may be evident only with longer use in those with cancer affecting certain sites or those who are part of specific subgroups.

Citation: Gong Z, Aragaki A, Chlebowski R, et al. Diabetes, metformin and incidence of and death from invasive cancer in postmenopausal women: Results from the Women's Health Initiative. Int J Cancer. 2016;138(8):1915-1927. doi:10.1002/ijc.29944.