A major European study has found that women who most closely followed a diet pattern associated with insulin resistance faced a higher chance of developing endometrial (womb) cancer—yet nearly all of that extra risk was explained by body weight. The research drew on health and diet data from 285,418 women in the long‑running EPIC study; over an average 10.6 years of follow‑up, 1,955 developed endometrial cancer.  

What the study did

Researchers scored participants’ diets using three established patterns: two that reflect how strongly a person’s usual diet tends to raise insulin or insulin resistance (EDIH and EDIR), and one designed to reduce diabetes risk (DRRD). They then looked for links with who developed endometrial cancer and who died from it.  

Key findings

• Women in the highest vs. lowest group for the EDIR score (a pattern linked to greater insulin resistance) had a 17% higher risk of endometrial cancer. But when the analysis took BMI into account, the association disappeared; BMI explained about 79% of the link. In other words, excess body weight was the main driver.  
• The other two patterns—EDIH (hyperinsulinemia) and DRRD (diabetes‑prevention diet)—were not associatedwith endometrial cancer risk after adjusting for BMI.  
• No dietary pattern studied was linked to overall survival or endometrial cancer–specific survival once cancer developed; survival curves for all three patterns were essentially flat and overlapping.  

Why it matters

Endometrial cancer is the sixth most common cancer in women worldwide, and rates are projected to rise. Many of its risk factors—including obesity and diabetes—intersect with how our diets influence insulin and body fat. This study suggests that while certain eating patterns may be associated with risk, maintaining a healthy weight appears to be the most important lever for lowering risk.  

What you can do

• Prioritize weight management through balanced eating and regular physical activity; even modest weight loss can lower insulin resistance. (In this study, BMI largely accounted for the diet–cancer link.)  
• Focus on overall dietary quality—more plants, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and minimally processed foods—approaches that support healthy weight and metabolic health, regardless of any single “score.”  
• If you have symptoms such as abnormal uterine bleeding, seek medical advice promptly; early detection is linked to excellent outcomes.  

Caveats

This was an observational analysis—strong for spotting patterns in real life, but it cannot prove cause and effect. Diet was measured at baseline, so changes over time might not be captured, and the cohort consisted largely of European women, which may limit generalizability. Still, with its size and careful analyses, the study offers clear, practical guidance: weight control appears central to prevention.  

Source: Torres‑Laiton L, et al. “Diabetes‑Related Dietary Patterns and Endometrial Cancer Risk and Survival in the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) Study,” Nutrients*, May 2025.*  

Editor’s note: This article is for information only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.