Will my diabetes affect my cancer treatment?

 

Q: Will my diabetes affect my cancer treatment?

A: Certain chemotherapy drugs, radiation treatment, and other therapies may cause your blood sugar levels to rise. If you have diabetes before your cancer is diagnosed, your levels will be watched very closely during treatment. A fast-acting insulin may be used as a supplement with your regular insulin or oral medications to bring rising blood sugar levels down. When chemotherapy and radiation are given at the same time, your blood count may drop, making diabetic patients more vulnerable to infections.
--Kathy Newman, RN, BSN

Watch for symptoms of high blood sugar.

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This content was last reviewed August 15, 2010 by Dr. Reshma L. Mahtani.
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