Could a common diabetes drug taken by millions prevent cancer? Scientists raise hope of breakthrough [Video]

A CHEAP drug taken by millions of people to control diabetes may do more than lower blood sugar.

Metformin, which costs 10p per tablet and is already being used by the NHS, could help protect against blood cancer.

Danish scientists found that diabetics taking the drug were less likely to go on to develop myeloproliferative neoplasms (MNP), a rare type of cancer which starts in the bone marrow.

MNP can also increase the risk of stroke, heart attack, and organ damage.

Metformin has anti-inflammatory effects, which has previously been found to protect against common age-related diseases, including heart disease and cognitive decline.

Daniel Tuyet Kirstensen PhD student at Aalborg University Hospital, said: “We were surprised by the magnitude of the association we saw in the data.

“We saw the strongest effect in people who had taken metformin for …