Steroid-induced diabetes in cancer patients

Abstract

Cancer and its treatments commonly require steroids to manage their side effects. Steroids increase blood glucose levels, causing new hyperglycaemia in patients with no known history of diabetes, termed steroid-induced diabetes mellitus (SIDM). This paper explores SIDM in cancer patients, identifying areas that could influence positive changes in current and future practice in its management and discuss their impact on practice in an outpatient setting. This paper concludes that active encouragement from staff can lead to an improved patient experience, as well as developing patient-led decisions and promoting self-managment