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World J Diabetes. Jul 15, 2023; 14(7): 1037-1048
Published online Jul 15, 2023. doi: 10.4239/wjd.v14.i7.1037
Type 2 diabetes and thyroid cancer: Synergized risk with rising air pollution
Eva M Kruger, Shaimaa A Shehata, Eman A Toraih, Ahmed A Abdelghany, Manal S Fawzy
Eva M Kruger, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
Shaimaa A Shehata, Department of Forensic Medicine and Clinical Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
Eman A Toraih, Division of Endocrine and Oncologic Surgery, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA 70112, United States
Eman A Toraih, Genetics Unit, Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
Ahmed A Abdelghany, Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
Manal S Fawzy, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Ismailia 41522, Egypt
Manal S Fawzy, Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, Northern Border University, Arar 1321, Saudi Arabia
Author contributions: Kruger EM, Shehata SA, and Toraih EA designed the research study; Kruger EM and Shehata SA wrote the first draft of the manuscript; Toraih EA, Abdelghany AA and Fawzy MS contributed to writing-review and critical editing of the manuscript; all authors have read and approved the final manuscript.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All the authors report no relevant conflicts of interest for this article.
Open-Access: This article is an open-access article that was selected by an in-house editor and fully peer-reviewed by external reviewers. It is distributed in accordance with the Creative Commons Attribution NonCommercial (CC BY-NC 4.0) license, which permits others to distribute, remix, adapt, build upon this work non-commercially, and license their derivative works on different terms, provided the original work is properly cited and the use is non-commercial. See: https://creativecommons.org/Licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Corresponding author: Manal S Fawzy, MD, PhD, Professor, Department of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Suez Canal University, Round Road, Ismailia 41522, Egypt. manal2_khashana@ymail.com
Received: December 28, 2022
Peer-review started: December 28, 2022
First decision: February 28, 2023
Revised: March 28, 2023
Accepted: May 24, 2023
Article in press: May 24, 2023
Published online: July 15, 2023
Abstract

Diabetes is a complex condition, and the causes are still not fully understood. However, a growing body of evidence suggests that exposure to air pollution could be linked to an increased risk of diabetes. Specifically, exposure to certain pollutants, such as particulate Matter and Ozone, has been associated with higher rates of diabetes. At the same time, air pollution has also been linked to an increased risk of thyroid cancer. While there is less evidence linking air pollution to thyroid cancer than to diabetes, it is clear that air pollution could have severe implications for thyroid health. Air pollution could increase the risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer through several mechanisms. For example, air pollution could increase inflammation in the body, which is linked to an increased risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer. Air pollution could also increase oxidative stress, which is linked to an increased risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer. Additionally, air pollution could increase the risk of diabetes and thyroid cancer by affecting the endocrine system. This review explores the link between diabetes and air pollution on thyroid cancer. We will discuss the evidence for an association between air pollution exposure and diabetes and thyroid cancer, as well as the potential implications of air pollution for thyroid health. Given the connections between diabetes, air pollution, and thyroid cancer, it is essential to take preventive measures to reduce the risk of developing the condition.

Keywords: Air pollution, Diabetes mellitus, Health risk, Thyroid cancer, Thyroid disorders

Core Tip: Although the direct link between diabetes and air pollution on thyroid cancer is not yet established, recent research has suggested a strong correlation between air pollution exposure and the risk of endocrinopathies and developing certain types of cancer, including thyroid cancer. This suggests that people with diabetes may be at an increased risk of developing thyroid cancer if exposed to high levels of air pollution. It is essential for people with diabetes to be aware of the potential health risks associated with air pollution and to take steps to reduce their exposure to air pollution and to control their blood glucose levels as well as eat healthy food.