GLP-1 and Cancer Risk: What We Know, What We Don’t, and Why It Matters.

Lately, I’ve been navigating the rollercoaster that is menopause—weight gain, mood shifts, unpredictable sleep, and the stubborn metabolic changes that no amount of clean eating or walking seems to fix.

I’ve always been proactive about my health, and when I started hearing about GLP-1 medications like Ozempic and Wegovy helping people shed pounds and get their blood sugar under control, I was intrigued.

Like many women in midlife, I found myself wondering: Would this help me manage the changes I’m seeing in my body? Could it make this transition easier?

But before making any decision, I wanted to understand what I’d be getting into. One thing that kept coming up in my research was the question of cancer risk.

It’s a topic close to my heart—for personal and professional reasons—and it’s something I couldn’t ignore. So I did a deep dive into the science, the data, and the open questions. And that’s what I want to share with you here.

What is GLP-1?

GLP-1 stands for glucagon-like peptide-1, a hormone that plays a key role in managing blood sugar, appetite, and digestion.

After you eat, your gut releases GLP-1, which stimulates insulin, reduces glucagon (a hormone that raises blood sugar), slows gastric emptying, and tells your brain you’re full.

Scientists figured out how to replicate this effect with GLP-1 receptor agonist medications. Originally developed for people with type 2 diabetes, these drugs have also proven highly effective for weight loss—so effective that they’ve become a new frontier in obesity treatment.

Popular examples include semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro). The results many people are seeing are hard to ignore: double-digit weight loss, improved blood sugar, better cholesterol. It sounds like a dream—especially during menopause, when fat seems to appear out of nowhere and hang on for dear life.

But there’s still a lot we don’t know.

GLP-1 and Cancer: Where the Concerns Come From

GLP-1 receptors are found not just in the pancreas and gut, but in other tissues too—including some that are involved in cancer development. That’s where the questions start.

Depending on the type of tissue and cancer, activating those receptors might be helpful—or potentially harmful. The research so far has looked at a few key types of cancer, and I’ll break those down here.

1. Pancreatic Cancer

Early concerns about GLP-1 medications and pancreatic cancer surfaced over a decade ago, based on reports of pancreatitis in some users. Since chronic pancreatitis can raise the risk of pancreatic cancer, this sparked fears.

However, large studies and meta-analyses in recent years haven’t found a strong or consistent link between GLP-1 drugs and pancreatic cancer. A large historical cohort in Israel (2009–2017; ~540,000 adults) found no increased pancreatic cancer risk over 7 years with GLP‑1 receptor agonist (GLP‑1RA) therapy. The hazard ratios compared to basal insulin ranged from 0.50 to 0.75.

Additional electronic health record data (~4.95 million T2D patients, 245,000 on GLP‑1RAs) reported a lower pancreatic cancer risk in GLP‑1RA users versus those on insulin, DPP‑4 inhibitors, SGLT2 inhibitors, or sulfonylureas

Still, it’s worth noting that most of the data we have only covers the past few years. Pancreatic cancer often develops slowly, and longer-term studies are still ongoing.

2. Thyroid Cancer

This is one of the more controversial concerns. Rodent studies: Lifelong exposure to liraglutide or exenatide in rats/mice caused C‑cell hyperplasia and medullary thyroid tumors via GLP‑1 receptor activation.

But—and this is important—human thyroid cells don’t seem to have the same density of GLP-1 receptors that rodents do. So far, large human studies haven’t shown a clear increase in thyroid cancer risk. Human/primate data: Monkeys showed no C‑cell proliferation even at 60× typical human doses; over 5,000 human participants in trials showed no increase in calcitonin or C‑cell changes. But again, the long-term picture remains incomplete.

3. Breast, Colon, and Other Cancers

Some of the most promising—but still early—research suggests that GLP-1 medications might actually reduce the risk of certain cancers, especially those linked to obesity and insulin resistance, like breast and colorectal cancers.

The theory is that by improving metabolic health—lowering insulin, reducing inflammation, promoting weight loss—these drugs might make the body less hospitable to cancer growth.

A 2025 systematic review found no overall increased cancer risk with GLP‑1RAs, and noted heterogeneous effects—neutral or protective in some cancers like liver and prostate, while thyroid associations remain unclear

A retrospective Israeli study comparing GLP‑1RAs to bariatric surgery found GLP‑1s offered a 41% greater reduction in obesity-related cancer risk than surgery, even after matching for weight loss

It’s a compelling idea. But right now, it’s just that: an idea. The studies are still too short-term, and many didn’t include people with a history of cancer, which makes it hard to draw strong conclusions.

For Cancer Survivors, the Waters Are Murky

If you’ve had cancer—especially hormone-sensitive cancers like breast or endometrial—this all gets even more complicated. Some cancer survivors gain significant weight after treatment, whether from hormonal therapies, steroids, or simply from the impact of the disease itself. That extra weight can increase the risk of recurrence or new cancers down the road.

GLP-1 drugs might offer a way to break that cycle. But again, the data is scarce. Most clinical trials excluded people with recent cancer diagnoses. So while some oncologists are cautiously using these medications in survivors, it’s often done on a case-by-case basis, weighing potential benefits against theoretical risks.

Could They Actually Help Prevent Cancer?

One thing I found fascinating is the potential protective effect of GLP-1 drugs in the long term. Since obesity and insulin resistance are major risk factors for at least 13 types of cancer, anything that can reverse those issues could theoretically lower cancer risk.

Some observational studies have already started hinting at this—GLP-1 users showing fewer new diagnoses of certain cancers over time. But these studies are early and can’t prove cause and effect.

Until we have rigorous, long-term data, the picture will remain incomplete.

So… Is There Enough Research?

Honestly? Not yet.

The pace of GLP-1 development and popularity has outstripped the science on long-term safety—particularly in the cancer space. Here’s what we still need:

• Longitudinal studies following patients for a decade or more.
• More clarity on cancer subtypes and whether risk varies by age, genetics, or hormone status.
• Specific studies on GLP-1 use in cancer survivors and those at high genetic risk.

Science is heading in the right direction, but we’re not there yet.

Final Thoughts: My Personal Take

After all the reading, digging, and reflection, I made the decision—for now—not to start a GLP-1 medication. It’s not because I think they’re dangerous or ineffective. Quite the opposite: I think they’re one of the most promising tools we’ve seen in years for managing weight and metabolic health.

But when it comes to long-term cancer risk—especially as someone in midlife, already dealing with hormonal shifts and navigating a family history of cancer—I want more data before jumping in.

That said, I completely understand why others make a different choice. For people struggling with diabetes, obesity-related conditions, or serious metabolic issues, these medications can be life-changing. We all have to weigh the risks and benefits in the context of our own health histories and priorities.

I’ll be watching the research closely—and who knows, my decision might change down the road. But for now, I’m sticking with the basics: real food, strength training, hormone support where needed, and a little grace for this stage of life.

Because menopause may be inevitable—but so is change. And we deserve to make informed, empowered choices every step of the way.