Diabetes affects approximately 8 percent to 18 percent of cancer patients worldwide, while cancer survivors have a 39 percent higher risk. Menu close The South First » BOLD Diabetes associated with 21 of 24 common cancers; cancer treatments may also trigger diabetes, review finds Diabetes affects approximately 8 percent to 18 percent of cancer patients worldwide, while cancer survivors have a 39 percent higher risk of developing diabetes than people without cancer.