Abstract 5274: Risk of comorbidities among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white breast cancer survivors compared to breast cancer free women
Authors: Connor Avonne E. , Visvanathan Kala , Boone Stephanie D. , Baumgartner Richard N. , Baumgartner Kathy B. 
Published: July 2017

Hispanic women are projected to account for an increasing proportion of the U.S. breast cancer (BC) survivor population which is reaching 3.1 million. The number of BC survivors at risk of developing age-related comorbid conditions is increasing. Limited studies have examined the relationship between being a BC survivor and risk of comorbidities compared to BC free women of similar age. Few studies have included Hispanic women, in which the prevalence of chronic conditions, such as diabetes and hypertension are high. In this study we examined the associations between BC survivor status, ethnicity, and risk of comorbidities among long-term BC survivors and BC free women/controls that participated in the New Mexico Women’s Health Study (NMWHS) - a population-based case-control study from 1992-1994. The Long-Term Quality of Life Follow-up Study (2007-2011) was conducted approximately 15 years (median) from BC diagnosis for cases or selection date for controls that participated in the NMWHS. Data for comorbid conditions, lifestyle and reproductive factors were collected at follow-up interview. Baseline data from the NMWHS interviews were also available. A total of 449 BC survivors (68 Hispanic, 131 NHW) and controls (78 Hispanic, 172 NHW) were included in this analysis. Adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using logistic regression models for the associations between survivor status, risk of disease-specific conditions and comorbidities based on Charlson Comorbidity Index (CCI) level (low-high vs none) at follow-up. The mean age at follow-up of BC survivors (64.3 years) and controls (64.0 years) was not significantly different. A total of 128 survivors and 139 controls experienced low-high levels of CCI (chi-sq. p=0.06). The two most commonly reported CCI conditions among survivors and controls were connective tissue disease (43% of survivors; 33% of controls) and chronic pulmonary disease (25% of survivors; 18% of controls). Overall, BC survivors had increased risk of CCI (OR, 1.66; 95% CI 1.10-2.51), compared to controls. While Hispanic ethnicity was not a significant predictor of CCI, the following factors were significantly associated with CCI and were mutually adjusted for with survivor status: smoked for &gt; 6 months at baseline (OR, 1.59; 95% CI 1.06-2.38); hypertension at follow-up (OR, 1.84; 95% CI 1.19-2.85); and history of hysterectomy (OR, 1.97; 95% CI 1.28-3.03). BC survivor status significantly predicted risk of connective tissue (OR, 1.76; 95% CI 1.17-2.64) and chronic pulmonary diseases (OR, 1.68; 95% CI 1.04-2.70); while no significant associations were observed for risk of diabetes, hypertension, or heart disease. Our findings suggest that smoking history and hysterectomy are contextual factors when considering BC survivorship care, and comorbidities such as connective tissue and pulmonary diseases should also be considered.

Citation Format: Avonne E. Connor, Kala Visvanathan, Stephanie D. Boone, Richard N. Baumgartner, Kathy B. Baumgartner. Risk of comorbidities among Hispanic and non-Hispanic white breast cancer survivors compared to breast cancer free women [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5274. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-5274