Abstract C28: An exploratory study of co-occurrence of breast cancer and diabetes in medically underserved Latinas

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: Cancer and diabetes are two severe chronic illnesses that often co-occur. The presence of diabetes in cancer patients is associated with increased risk for poor health outcomes and decreased overall survival. Lack of access to care and under-diagnosis of diabetes makes this co-occurrence particularly troubling among the Latino population. This preliminary study explored the association of diabetes with functioning and physical health outcomes among underserved Latina breast cancer survivors (BCS). Methods: In total, 137 low income Latina BCS were recruited from the California Cancer Registry, hospital cancer registries, and community agencies. Latina BCS completed a self-report questionnaire that assessed demographic and cancer-related medial characteristics, the co-occurrence of diabetes, and functional and physical outcomes. Results: Among Latina BCS, 98 (72%) were non-diabetic and 39 (28 %) were diabetic. Latina BCS with diabetes were more likely to report less than a high school education, being uninsured, and unemployed (p<0.01), and more likely to report later stage at diagnosis than BCS without diabetes. BCS with diabetes reported more lymphedema symptoms than BCS without diabetes (p<0.05). Although not statistically significant, BCS with diabetes had lower general health, experienced more pain, and reported greater social functioning and physical role limitations than BCS without diabetes. Conclusions: This preliminary investigation sheds new light on emerging evidence documenting the negative associations of comorbid chronic conditions such as diabetes on patients' outcomes. More attention to the co-occurrence of cancer and chronic disease is warranted for addressing cancer health disparities. Our descriptive analysis offers support for additional inquiry and attention to the co-occurrence of cancer and chronic disease as a target for action in improvements in quality, patient-centered care and in the reduction of persistent health disparities. Citation Format: Kimlin T. Ashing, Monica Rosales, Raynald Samoa, Lily Lai, Roberto Vargas, Courtney Vito, Arti Hurria, Mayra Serrano. An exploratory study of co-occurrence of breast cancer and diabetes in medically underserved Latinas. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr C28. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-C28