Metformin Linked to Prostate Cancer Survival

Men with prostate cancer and diabetes may survive longer if they take metformin instead of other diabetes drugs, a study finds. The study included more than 3,800 men ages 67 or older who had diabetes. They later developed prostate cancer, at an average age of 75. About one-third were taking metformin when the study started. Others used different diabetes drugs. Researchers kept track of the men for more than 4 years after their cancer diagnosis. Men who took metformin were less likely to die of prostate cancer or any cause than men who took other diabetes drugs. The death risk was 24% lower for each 6 months they took metformin after their cancer diagnosis. Metformin helps the body to use insulin better to turn glucose (sugar) into energy. This means the pancreas needs to make less insulin. Research suggests that insulin might help cancer cells to grow.