Epidemiological studies have clearly indicated 
diabetes as a risk factor for cancer initiation and 
progression. Both diabetes and cancer are influenced by 
multiple factors of known and unknown origin. The 
magnitude to which these diseases impact the health and 
economy of the population is colossal. In this review, we 
will focus on the link between diabetes (Type 2 Diabetes 
Mellitus) and cancers of varying origins. A number of 
meta-analyses with and without adjusting confounding 
factors have been performed implying that diabetes could 
probably be one of the unregulated perils giving rise to 
cancer directly, or indirectly promoting pre-existing 
tumorigenesis. At the molecular level, signaling pathways 
regulated by insulin and its analogs are considered to be the 
basis for abnormal cellular proliferation and inhibition of 
apoptosis. Controlling diabetes and diabetic-induced 
complications, and therapeutic intervention that can reduce 
the risk of cancer initiation might aid in protecting the 
diabetic population from developing cancer.