A high blood insulin level correlates with poorer prognosis for women with metastatic breast cancer. This is important to know because insulin can be lowered, and this improves chances of survival. This finding comes from research presented at the Advanced Breast Cancer Third International Consensus Conference on Nov. 6, 2015. We have known for a long time that women with type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop breakfast cancer. Both high blood sugar and high blood insulin are known to promote the growth and spread of tumors. Now studies have shown that you don’t have to be a diabetic to be at higher risk – women with normal blood sugar but high insulin are also in danger. People with elevated blood insulin are known to have insulin resistance or Syndrome X. You can ask your doctor for a blood test to check your insulin level. Clues that you might have elevated insulin include being a type 2 diabetic, having polycystic ovarian syndrome or carrying excess fat around your waist. We need some insulin but too much isn’t good because it makes cells grow. Insulin is a growth promoting hormone. That’s good if you’re a teenager but bad if you’re trying to fight cancer. Fortunately there are a lot of ways to lower insulin, which you can read about here . This will help to reduce your risk of developing cancer, or improve your prognosis if you are currently fighting cancer. Reference