Elevated fasting insulin levels increase the risk of esophageal cancer (OR = 10.35, 95% CI: 1.10 to 97.25, P = 0.041), while increased glycated hemoglobin levels increase pancreatic cancer risk (OR=2.33, 95% CI: 1.37 to 3.97, P=0.002) but decrease gastric cancer risk (OR=0.801, 95% CI: 0.65 to 0.99, P=0.044).<h4>Conclusion</h4>T2DM is associated with a reduced risk of esophageal, gastric and colorectal cancer and hepatocellular carcinoma in East Asian populations. The gene discussed is INS; the disease is colorectal cancer.