It has been recently reported that survivors of childhood cancers may be at risk for higher levels of diabetes later in life.  This is unfortunate.

A number of studies has suggested that radiation therapy used for cancer treatments can put patients at increased probability of experiencing diabetes and/or obesity subsequent to treatment.  It was found that patients who were treated with total body irradiation, cranial irradiation or abdominal irradiation had up to a 90% greater probability of contracting diabetes.

The study suggests that the total body irradiation and abdominal irradiation were causally linked to diabetes, whereas the cranial irradiation was not.  Some hypothesize that some sort of damage is done to the pancreas when the abdominal area is irradiated.  This is just something else to be aware of before blindly consenting to radiation therapy.

There is really no panacea for cancer treatment, especially when using powerful treatment methods such as radiation therapy.  Radiation is harmful to the normal human, so this really comes as no great surprise.  But it may surprise someone who is not scientifically experienced.  It is best to be aware that there are real side-effects to all cancer treatments, especially those that are inherently dangerous to the body.  The old adage let the buyer beware should never be forgotten when dealing with cancer treatments, even those that are touted by the medical establishment.