The waiting room at Dr. Fiona Chen’s diabetes clinic is busier than I’ve ever seen it. I’m here in Vancouver’s West End on a drizzly Tuesday morning, watching patients thumb through outdated magazines while they wait to discuss what has become one of the most talked-about classes of medications in recent memory.
“Most of my patients are asking about GLP-1 receptor agonists now,” Dr. Chen tells me, using the clinical term for drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. “And increasingly, they’re asking about benefits beyond weight loss and blood sugar control.”
Their questions are understandable. These medications, originally developed for type 2 diabetes, have dominated headlines for their dramatic weight loss effects. But emerging research suggests they might offer protection against something far more threatening: cancer.
A study published last week in JAMA Oncology has sent ripples through both diabetes and oncology communities. Researchers analyzed health records of over 110,000 patients with type 2 diabetes and found those taking semaglutide (Ozempic) had a 24 percent lower risk of developing cancer compared to similar patients not on the medication.
The finding adds to growing evidence that these drugs might work beyond their intended purpose. Earlier studies had already suggested potential cardiovascular benefits, but cancer prevention would represent a significant breakthrough in understanding their full therapeutic potential.
“We need to be cautious about overstating these results,” cautions Dr. Harpreet Singh, an oncologist at BC Cancer I spoke with after visiting Dr. Chen’s clinic. “This was an observational study, not a randomized controlled trial. But it’s certainly intriguing enough to warrant further investigation.”
The mechanism behind this potential protection remains unclear. Some researchers believe it may be related to the drugs’ anti-inflammatory effects or their impact on insulin levels, which can influence cancer cell growth. Others suggest the weight loss itself might be responsible, as obesity is a known risk factor for several cancers.
Marion Locke, a 58-year-old elementary school teacher from Surrey, has been taking Ozempic for her type 2 diabetes for almost two years. When I meet her at a local coffee shop, she tells me she’s lost 42 pounds and her blood sugar levels have normalized.
“My doctor never mentioned anything about cancer risk,” she says, stirring her unsweetened tea. “But my mother died of pancreatic cancer at 62, and she had diabetes too. I wonder if things might have been different for her with these medications.”
The Canadian Diabetes Association estimates that 11.7 million Canadians live with diabetes or prediabetes. For this population, medications that could potentially address multiple health risks simultaneously would be transformative. However, access remains a significant barrier.
Provincial drug plans vary widely in their coverage of GLP-1 receptor agonists. In British Columbia, these medications are covered for diabetes patients who meet specific criteria, but not for weight management alone. With monthly costs ranging from $200 to $400 without insurance, many patients are left making difficult financial decisions about their health.
Dr. Chen’s clinic demonstrates this reality daily. “I have patients who choose between filling their prescriptions and paying rent,” she says. “If these drugs truly offer protection against cancer and heart disease, we need to have serious conversations about accessibility.”
The pharmaceutical landscape is evolving rapidly. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and Wegovy, has seen its market value soar as demand for these medications grows. Meanwhile, competing companies are racing to develop similar drugs, potentially expanding options for patients.
Walking through Vancouver General Hospital’s cancer center the following day, I think about the paradox of modern medicine – breakthrough treatments that promise extended, healthier lives but remain out of reach for many who need them most.
Dr. Michael Taylor, an endocrinologist and researcher at the University of British Columbia who was not involved in the JAMA study, offers a balanced perspective when I call him for comment.
“What’s particularly interesting about this research is that it controlled for weight loss,” he explains. “The cancer risk reduction persisted even when accounting for BMI changes, suggesting there might be direct anti-cancer mechanisms at work.”
However, Dr. Taylor emphasizes that lifestyle interventions remain foundational. “These medications are powerful tools, but they don’t replace the need for physical activity, nutritious eating patterns, and other preventive health measures.”
For patients like Eliza Wong, a 67-year-old grandmother living with diabetes in Richmond, such distinctions matter little. When we meet at a community center where she participates in a seniors’ tai chi program, she speaks candidly about her experience.
“I started Ozempic last year, and yes, I’ve lost weight, but more importantly, I feel better than I have in decades,” Wong says. “If it might protect me from cancer too? That feels like a blessing I didn’t expect.”
As researchers design the next phase of studies to confirm these findings – likely including randomized controlled trials specifically examining cancer outcomes – millions of patients and their healthcare providers face decisions based on incomplete information.
The conversation around these medications continues to evolve, balancing scientific caution with genuine hope. For Canada’s diverse communities affected by diabetes, especially those with heightened cancer risks, the implications extend far beyond numbers on a scale or a glucose monitor.
“Medicine rarely offers simple solutions to complex problems,” Dr. Singh reminds me as our interview concludes. “But sometimes we discover that a treatment developed for one condition holds unexpected benefits for another. Those moments remind us why clinical research matters.”
As I leave Dr. Chen’s clinic, a new patient arrives, clutching a newspaper article about Ozempic and cancer risk. The receptionist smiles knowingly. The questions – and the search for answers – continue.
