Evaluating oncology healthcare professionals’ knowledge of diabetes mellitus

In the UK, the incidence of cancer and diabetes mellitus is increasing, and this is predicted to continue as the population ages. When an individual presents with both cancer and diabetes and requires systemic anticancer therapy (SACT) this can lead to higher susceptibility to infections and increased risk of hospitalisation, particularly if the diabetes is not well managed. This is in part attributed to the frequent use of corticosteroids to manage the side-effects of SACT, such as nausea, which can induce hyperglycaemia.This article describes a service evaluation that aimed to examine the knowledge base and confidence levels of healthcare professionals working in an oncology setting and caring for patients who have, or who are at high risk of developing, diabetes while also undergoing SACT. The findings suggest that knowledge in this field varies significantly across professions and that there is a need for training in diabetes management for those working in oncology settings.