Type 2 diabetes often runs in families, yet it remains frequently undiagnosed until serious complications have already developed, according to health experts. This delayed detection can transform a manageable chronic condition into a pathway toward disability, as the disease progresses silently for years without noticeable symptoms.
“You can live for years with diabetes and not know it,” said Professor Emmanuel Cosson, a diabetologist, during an appearance on the PuMS (Pour une meilleure santé) program. Nearly one-third of people with diabetes are unaware of their condition, according to the Swiss Diabetes Association, due to the illness’s slow, symptom-free progression.
In France, approximately 60 percent of individuals living with type 2 diabetes have a family history of the disease, as reported by the French Diabetes Federation. Despite this strong hereditary link, targeted prevention efforts among those at familial risk remain insufficient, contributing to late diagnoses.
Experts emphasize that although genetics play a significant role, type 2 diabetes is not inevitable. The condition is influenced by a combination of inherited traits and environmental factors, meaning lifestyle choices can modify risk even in those with a predisposition.
Distinguishing between the two main types of diabetes is essential. Type 1 diabetes results from an autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing cells, requiring lifelong insulin injections from onset. In contrast, type 2 diabetes—which accounts for about 90 percent of all diabetes cases—develops gradually. The body continues to produce insulin but becomes resistant to its effects or eventually fails to produce enough, leading to chronic high blood sugar.
This form of diabetes is particularly insidious since it can remain asymptomatic for extended periods while silently damaging organs. Complications such as microvascular and macrovascular damage may already be present by the time of diagnosis, underscoring the importance of early screening, especially for those with a family history.
Research suggests that up to 80 percent of type 2 diabetes cases could be prevented or delayed through early detection, combined with healthy eating, regular physical activity, and timely medical intervention. Leveraging family history as an early warning signal allows individuals to seize proactive steps before irreversible harm occurs.
