INS and cancer: Interestingly, findings in the IGT people alone in the present study, the insulin AUC, but not plasma glucose levels, was significantly associated with the risk of cancer, suggesting in the prediabetes stage, the long-term exposure to hyperinsulinemia is likely an earlier and long-lasting important contributor to the development of cancer since in the IGT population hyperinsulinemia may exist for many years before the onset of diabetes.