gene mutation that causes a type of dwarfism resists cancer and diabetes

An article from AP news, titled Clue to diabetes, cancer seen in short Ecuadoreans, reports that Ecuadoreans with Laron syndrome, which makes them shorter than 4 feet almost never get cancer or diabetes. Scientists report that they studied the health of this population for over 22 years and no one has gotten diabetes, while only one individual suffered a non-lethal case of cancer. These people's gene mutation prevents them from using human growth hormone which affects how other hormones like insulin-like growth factor or IGF-1 work.  Other studies are investigating IGF-1 and its effect on lifespan.

I find this article fascinating, as the potential research is the stuff of science fiction. While the Laron afflicted people did not live longer, we could potentially isolate the mechanisms and specific chemicals creating new treatments for both cancer and diabetes. It could eventually lead to an eradication of any serious cases of both diseases with some form of genetic or hormone thereapy. Additionally, while more research is needed, if growth hormone can damage cell defense and affect its ability to repair itself, this could lead to the ability to lengthen the lives of humans while maintaining quality of life. We could gain the ability to repair the affect of all kinds of diseases that damage tissue.