Honestly, you can’t watch TV or scroll Instagram without seeing a commercial about Ozempic^®, Wegovy^®, Mounjaro^® or a compounded semaglutide right now.

These drugs were developed to manage type 2 diabetes but they are used for much more. Nowadays, they are the center of many conversations around weight loss, and more recently, cancer prevention and care.

After a recent work trip, I realized the cancer community is talking about GLP-1s A LOT, so I decided to look into it! I love this part of my job: I get to follow the science, stay curious, and make sure you’re empowered with the facts.

I started reading the emerging research and what it could mean for colorectal cancer patients. If medications that are being used to manage diabetes can also help reduce that risk or improve cancer treatment outcomes, that’s a big deal!

For starters, GLP-1 is short for glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) agonists. These drugs mimic a natural hormone that helps control blood sugar, reduce appetite, and slow digestion. GLP-1 agonists are available via prescription, and they are usually administered by injection. The doses and how often you take the drug depends on the patient.

Here’s what the research community has published on GLP-1s and cancer-related topics.

Recent research has shown that GLP-1 drugs may affect colonoscopy effectiveness, especially when it comes to bowel prep and the quality of how well a GI can see your colon during the colonoscopy.

Why It Matters:

• GLP-1s slow gastric emptying, which is a helpful feature for blood sugar control, but a potential obstacle for colonoscopy prep. Patients using GLP-1s may experience incomplete or inadequate prep, which can reduce the visibility of polyps and lead to repeat procedures.
• A 2024 study in the Journal of Clinical Medicine found that polyp detection rates were lower in patients who used GLP-1s without adjusting their prep protocol.  Singh et al., 2024
• In ScienceDirect, experts recommended patients pause GLP-1 meds one or two days before a colonoscopy, and some centers are adjusting prep regimens accordingly.

TIP: If you’re taking a GLP-1 and are due for a colonoscopy, talk with your GI doctor about prep adjustments to ensure you have an empty colon for your colonoscopy.

Beyond screening, a smaller but growing body of research is exploring how GLP-1s might affect treatment outcomes for colorectal cancer patients.

This is all still very early, but the findings are cautiously optimistic.

What We’re Learning:

• A 2022 article in Frontiers in Pharmacology showed that in lab models (not in real people yet), GLP-1s have been shown to inhibit tumor-promoting pathways, such as PI3K/AKT/mTOR, potentially slowing cancer cell growth.
• Gut Journal reported that GLP-1s may reduce chemotherapy side effects like mucositis. A 2013 study found protective effects on intestinal tissue, which could support better treatment tolerance.
• A 2024 study in the Journal of Thoracic Oncology analyzed GLP-1 drug use in people newly diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and studied their lung cancer risk. The findings highlighted broader relevance to obesity-related cancers—including colon and rectal cancers. Researchers suggested GLP-1s may reduce inflammation and tumor progression in metabolically vulnerable patients.
• A 2025 review in the Journal of Clinical Medicine took a comprehensive look at Metformin’s role across cancers, including colorectal and bladder cancer. The review reinforced Metformin’s anti-inflammatory, insulin-modulating mechanisms and its possible use in cancer prevention and progression control.

We know that people with type 2 diabetes have a higher risk for CRC, so if medications that manage diabetes can also help reduce colorectal cancer risk, or improve treatment outcomes, that’s a big deal.

It is important to remember that GLP-1s are not a replacement or current treatment for colorectal cancer.

For patients managing both diabetes and colorectal cancer, they may offer metabolic and, potentially, added benefits. Make sure you talk to your oncologist.

Share this information with your care team, especially before a colonoscopy.

Be proactive in adjusting prep strategies if your patient is on a GLP-1, especially if they are having a colonoscopy.

A lot of cancer patients are dealing with health-related issues beyond their cancer diagnosis, from navigating diabetes or struggling with weight gain. We can’t help but be curious about how GLP-1s impact someone’s risk for cancer or cancer treatment.

We also need to remember to deal with the whole person.

I want our community to feel empowered and grounded in science (not just commercials) as we advocate for ourselves to live heathy lives and feel confident in our bodies.

1. Singh, S., Chandan, S., Dahiya, D. S., et al. (2024). Impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists in gastrointestinal endoscopy. Journal of Clinical Medicine, 13(18), 5627. https://www.mdpi.com/2077-0383/13/18/5627
2. Chiu, Y.-T., Chen, Y.-T., Lee, F.-J., et al. (2025). Impact of GLP-1 receptor agonists on colonoscopy quality: a meta-analysis. Digestive and Liver Disease. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1590865825002804
3. Tong, G., Peng, T., Chen, Y., et al. (2022). Effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on biological behavior of colorectal cancer cells. Frontiers in Pharmacology, 13, 901559. https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphar.2022.901559/full
4. Kissow, H., Hartmann, B., Holst, J. J., et al. (2013). GLP-1 as a treatment for chemotherapy-induced mucositis. Gut, 62(12), 1724–1733. https://gut.bmj.com/content/62/12/1724.short
5. Nomiyama, T., & Yanase, T. (2016). GLP-1 receptor agonist as treatment for cancer and diabetes. Expert Rev Endocrinol Metab. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17446651.2016.1191349