Diabetes and Weight Loss Is a High Risk for Cancer

06Jun

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A just published study says adults with recent-onset diabetes who have lost weight – even as little as 1 pound – are at higher risk of developing pancreatic cancer. The greater the weight loss, the higher the risk.

Published online at JAMA Oncology, the study found that individuals with recent-onset diabetes who lost between 1 and 4 pounds had a 25% higher risk of pancreatic cancer, while those whose weight loss was more than 8 pounds had a 92% higher risk than those who had no weight loss.

When compared to those without diabetes, the risk of developing cancer was almost 7 times higher for those with the biggest weight loss.

That there’s an association between diabetes and pancreatic cancer is well known. Previous studies have shown that recent-onset diabetes and unintentional weight loss could lead to developing pancreatic cancer.

“The more novel finding here is that when both risk factors are combined, the risk is even greater,” said Peter Campbell, PhD, scientific director of epidemiology research at the American Cancer Society.

The significance of these findings, according to the researchers, is that individuals with recent-onset diabetes accompanied by weight loss “may be a group for whom early detection strategies would be advantageous.”

“Pancreatic cancer is the third-leading cause of cancer-related death in the United States, with a 5-year survival rate of less than 10%,” wrote Chen Yuan, ScD, with the Harvard Medical School and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, and his research colleagues.

“This low survival rate is largely associated with the diagnosis occurring at an advanced stage when the cancer is no longer curable.”

By monitoring high risk individuals, as is done with those having a family history of pancreatic cancer, the chance of detecting it early improves markedly and substantially increases the survival rate.

How aggressively this should be done for those with recent-onset diabetes and weight loss requires additional study, the researchers said.

However, “The coexistence of these symptoms should be recognized by clinicians given that both the relative and absolute risks for pancreatic cancer are high, particularly in individuals with healthy weight before weight loss or those who are not trying to lose weight through changes in physical activity or diet.”

Photo by Samuel Ramos on Unsplash

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Healthcare, Human Resources, Leadership + Management, Worklife

Jun 6, 2023

Majority of Employers Still Honoring Job Offers and Internships

Healthcare, Human Resources, Leadership + Management, Worklife

Jun 6, 2023

Majority of Employers Still Honoring Job Offers and Internships

There’s some good news for college students anxious about their summer internships. Almost two-thirds of employers intend to go ahead with them. The same is true for the jobs they offered to graduating seniors.

A survey by the National Association of Colleges and Employers found 64% of employers are not revoking their offers of full-time or internship employment. They may shift the start date and 29% expect to move interns to a virtual program, but only 15% are reducing the number.

The survey did find about a quarter of employers were considering what to do about the offers they made, given that no one is certain what will happen in the next several weeks.

Even if they decide to make cuts, there’s no reason to despair, says Green Key’s Clare Wright. There are companies still hiring. In fact, the dearth of campus recruiting has created opportunities.

“Smaller firms will have a chance to snap up those high caliber candidates who are eager to get working right out of school.”

Katelin Carbon, who as Green Key Resources’ Recruitment Director focuses on healthcare, says jobs are available for new grads in physical and occupational therapy and as speech language pathologists.

“Given all that is happening,” she add, “There is a huge need” for RNs especially in ICUs and emergency rooms, and for respiratory therapists, where there is a severe shortage.

“We encourage new grads to upload their resumes to job boards – Careerbuilder, Monster, ZipRecruiter, LinkedIn.”

Add Handshake to that list, adds Wright, who says, it is “an excellent resource for both college students and employers looking to hire.”

Especially for employers who do have internships and jobs to offer, Wright recommends being more proactive and creative in recruiting.

“Employers should reach out to colleges who are currently holding virtual career fairs and offering online career counselling to seniors,” she says. “Companies should invest heavily in their social media presence as well as hiring through their own staff networks – everyone will know someone affected by this pandemic so word of mouth networking will be strong.”

Wright, an Executive Director with a focus on office support, adds that Green Key Resources may be able to help.

“We are always ready and willing to talk to recent grads. While most clients like to see some relevant internship or corporate experience, often companies will look to grads with any kind of work experience such as summer jobs, or customer service.”

Wright, who graduated college in 2009 during the worst recession since the Depression, has some words of encouragement for college students: “Try to breathe. The job market will bounce back.

“This will not be the graduation that you expected, but it will be okay. You might not end up in your dream job right away, but make connections, create a LinkedIn page, network, temp, finish up school strong, use your college career department, attend a virtual career fair that many colleges are hosting, focus on sectors that are hiring right now — healthcare, tech, pharma, e-commerce are all still hiring.”

Photo by Firmbee.com on Unsplash

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