It means they are at a greater risk for a bad outcome. The study focused on insulin, not diabetes, although some diabetics have increased insulin. Insulin is critical for controlling the blood levels of the sugar glucose. Diabetes can result from a lack of insulin, but it can also result when a body develops resistance to normal amounts of insulin, leaving more insulin in the body. Also, insulin plays an important role in cell growth.
Cells have a specific area on their surface, known as a receptor, to which insulin attaches.
Earlier evidence has shown that insulin receptors in breast tissue differ from those elsewhere in the body, and laboratory studies have suggested that insulin can cause breast cells to grow and undergo transformation to cancerous cells, Dr. Goodwin said. The information in this newsletter does not dictate an exclusive course of treatment or procedure to be followed and should not be construed as excluding other acceptable methods of practice. The materials within this website are copyrighted under the statutes of the State of Michigan.