A Shot of Hope: Diabetes Meds May Cut Colon Cancer Death Risk by Half

According to a recent study from the University of California, San Diego, wellknown medications for diabetes and weight loss, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, may help patients with colon cancer survive longer in addition to helping control blood sugar (1^✔ ✔Trusted Source
Research alert: GLP-1 drugs linked to dramatically lower death rates in colon cancer patients

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Surprising Survival Boost With Diabetic Drug From Colon Cancer

Data from more than 6,800 colon cancer patients at all University of California Health locations was examined by researchers. They found that the risk of dying within five years was less than half for patients taking GLP-1 receptor agonists, the class of drugs that includes Ozempic and similar drugs.

• GLP-1 users: 15.5% died within five years
• Non-users: 37.1% died within five years

Even after accounting for factors like age, body weight, and cancer severity, the benefit remained strong, suggesting an independent protective effect of the drugs.

Diabetic Drug Mostly Benefitted for Heavier Patients

They found that the risk of dying within five years was less than half for patients taking GLP1 receptor agonists, the class of drugs that includes Ozempic and similar drugs. The survival advantage was especially noticeable among people with a body mass index (BMI) over 35. GLP1 medications, according to scientists, may be able to combat the metabolic issues and inflammation associated with obesity that make colon cancer more difficult to treat.

Why A Diabetic Drug Might Work Against Cancer?

Experts think several biological effects could explain the connection:

• Reduced inflammation throughout the body
• Improved insulin sensitivity
• Weight loss, easing strain on the body’s systems

Potential direct action against cancer cells, such as modifying the tumor environment, encouraging cell death, and slowing their growth.

However, scientists warn that it is too soon to determine whether the medications directly combat cancer or whether the benefit is primarily due to improved metabolic health in general.

Dr. Raphael Cuomo, the lead researcher, notes that these findings are observational and that further clinical trials are necessary to determine whether GLP-1 medications actually increase survival, particularly for those with obesity-related cancers like colon cancer.

This study, which was published in Cancer Investigation on November 11, 2025, provides preliminary but promising evidence that GLP-1 medications may help patients with colon cancer live longer. This could lead to a new approach to treating obesity, diabetes, and cancer in tandem.

Reference:

1. Research alert: GLP-1 drugs linked to dramatically lower death rates in colon cancer patients - (https://www.eurekalert.org/news-releases/1105430/)

Source-Eurekalert