Metformin for cancer prevention

Type II variant of diabetes is one of the lifestyle-triggered autoimmune disorders. This disorder causes a spike in blood sugars. Along with high sugar, you may also witness decreased presence of hormones like insulin. Over a period of time, your body may turn insensitive to insulin levels. Onset of diabetes is marked by frequent need to urinate, drop in weight and high levels of fatigue. Drugs such as metformin are administered for this autoimmune problem. But, can you use metformin for cancer prevention? It is a key thing to have more details in this regard.

Type 2 diabetes is turning into one of the widely experienced lifestyle-based autoimmune condition. This problem can make you go hungry as well as thirsty. You may also see a decreased rate of healing of sores or wounds. Those who choose to leave it unattended can damage their heart. Acute stages of type II diabetes can cause strokes, kidney problems and heart attacks.

If you lead a sedentary life, the chances of your getting type II variant of diabetes are high. You also need to know type II version of diabetes is more pronounced than type I form of diabetes. The former takes a lion share of almost 90% while the latter is at 9 – 10%. The treating team may prescribe a few drugs such as metformin upon confirming its incidence.

In this milieu, what is metformin?

Metformin is one of the popular antidiabetic drugs taken for the treatment of type II variant of diabetes mellitus. This med possesses the needful clearance of federal med approving authority in the US called the food and drug administration (or, FDA). Key ingredients of metformin cause reduced absorption of items like glucose. This drug is also known to decrease how much glucose your body makes. As an end result of these actions, your body becomes more responsive to insulin.

Your caregiving team may administer metformin along with some changes made to daily food habits. In most cases, a highly regimented exercise plan is also recommended. Intake of meds such as metformin can reduce the odds of kidney problems, retinopathy or other nerve-related problems like inflammation of nerves, etc. Users of metformin can also reduce the odds of sexual problems like male impotence and vision-related complications.

Metformin for cancer prevention

Cancer ranks among the top three ailments that cause fatal outcomes. Treatment of cancers include radiotherapy, surgical procedures (excision of tumors) and through use of drugs (chemotherapy). Owing to faster growth of tumor cells, many conventional approaches pose limitations.

Studies done on metformin to understand its cancer prevention capabilities are suggestive of high level of evidence. But, no firm conclusions have been drawn yet out of the studies done so far. Regardless of the inconclusive nature of studies, metformin is reported to have cancer prevention properties. So, studies are underway to establish a firmer connect between use of metformin and survival-based outcomes and / or reduction of risks of incidence of cancers.

Safety measures to be followed while taking drugs like metformin

The caregiving team must be updated of earlier episodes of kidney-related ailments, marked presence of ketone in blood, prior episodes of heart conditions, liver conditions such as hepatitis or cirrhosis combined with internal swelling of liver.

It is a good practice to inform your doctor of intake of antidiabetic medications or use of insulin infections, if any. Your physician should know if you have had ailments like metabolic acidosis, diabetic ketoacidosis, etc.

Above all, care must be taken to avoid administering metformin to those below 10 years of age. Moreover, a few types of metformin cannot be administered onto patients below 18 years of age or very young adults. In order to know more about metformin for cancer prevention, consult with your caregiving team / pharmacist before starting to use metformin.

Disclaimer

Information provided here are only of supplementary nature. Information shared here does not substitute a qualified doctor’s advice. This website is not suggesting intake of this drug as safe or appropriate. Hence it is advised to talk to your doctor before consuming this med or any other drug.