γγAn article published in May 2013 in Diabetes ObesMetab explores the relationship between diabetes, obesity and cancer and the potential causes of increased cancer risk in people with diabetes. The results concluded that obesity is a common risk factor for both diabetes and cancer.γγA growing body of evidence supports a correlation between diabetes (mainly type 2), obesity and cancer. A multivariate meta-analysis of epidemiological data suggests that people with diabetes have an increased risk of developing different types of cancer and increased cancer mortality. Several pathophysiological mechanisms are hypothesized for this correlation, including insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia, enhanced inflammatory processes, abnormal regulation of sex hormone production, and hyperglycemia. In addition to these potential mechanisms, a number of common risk factors, including obesity, may follow the association of diabetes and cancer. In fact, obesity is associated with an increased risk of cancer and diabetes. Abdominal obesity has been shown to play a role in the development of a systemic pro-inflammatory environment, which may contribute to the development of diabetes and cancer. We examine the relationship between diabetes, obesity and cancer and explore the potential causes of increased cancer risk in patients with diabetes. Current proposals to reduce the overall burden of disease are explored and this aspect is considered as a possible future area of research.