Mar 16, 2014 12:59 AM EDT By Jaleesa Baulkman, UniversityHerald Reporter

There may be an association between pancreatic cancer and diabetes, according to a recent study.

Researchers from the University of Melbourne found that there was a time-dependent link between being diagnosed with diabetes and pancreatic cancer.

The study was recently published in Annals of Surgical Oncology

"The study revealed the risk of pancreatic cancer was greatest after the diagnosis of diabetes but remained elevated long after the diagnosis. The presence of diabetes remains a modest risk factor for the development of a cancer later in life," researcher Mehrdad Nikfarjam said in a statement.

For the study, clinicians worked with mathematicians to review data from 1973 to 2013

Nikfarjam, liver, pancreas and biliary specialist from the Department of Surgery at the University of Melbourne, said pancreatic cancer was often diagnosed when at an advanced, incurable stage.

While the numbers of pancreatic cancer in the population are relatively low, the study suggests a screening program should be considered.

"The priority on screening should be on patients with new-onset diabetes but can later be expanded to long-standing diabetic patients," Nikfarjam said. "New onset diabetes is more prevalent in people over the age of 55. It may be important to consider screening all newly diagnosed diabetics for pancreatic cancer, particularly those without significant risk factors for developing diabetes in the first place."

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