Exploring the association between diabetes and breast cancer morbidity: considerations for quality care improvements among Latinas

Objective: Cancer and diabetes are two severe chronic illnesses that often co-occur. In cancer patients, diabetes increases the risk for treatment complexities and mortality. Yet patient-reported outcomes with co-occurring chronic illness are understudied.

Design: This preliminary study investigated the association of diabetes with breast cancer-related morbidity among underserved Latina breast cancer survivors (BCS).

Participants: 137 Latina BCS were recruited from the California Cancer Registry and hospitals.Setting and Main Outcome Measure(s): BCS completed a self-administered mailed questionnaire assessing demographic and medical characteristics e.g. Type2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).

Results: 28% Latina BCS reported co-occurring T2DM at twice the general population rate. Diabetes was most prevalent among Latina BCS > 65 years (43%). Latina BCS with diabetes were more likely to report advanced cancer staging at diagnosis (P = 0.036) and more lymphedema symptoms (P = 0.036). Results suggest non-significant but lower general health and greater physical functioning limitations among BCS with T2DM.

Conclusions: This study has relevance for precision population medicine by (i) consideration of routine diabetes screening in Latina BCS, (ii) underscoring attention to disease co-occurrence in treatment planning and care delivery and (iii) informing follow-up care and survivorship care planning e.g. patient self-management, oncology and primarily care surveillance and specialty care. Our findings can inform providers, survivors and caregivers about the impact of disease co-occurrence that influence clinically and patient responsive care for both initial treatment and long-term follow-up care to address disparities.