Influence of Preexisting Diabetes on Survival After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis in First Nations Women in Ontario, Canada

PURPOSE: Survival after a breast cancer diagnosis is poorer in First Nations women with a preexisting comorbidity compared with comorbidity-free First Nations women in Ontario, Canada. Given the high prevalence of diabetes in this population, it is important to determine whether preexisting diabetes is related to poorer survival after a breast cancer diagnosis. METHODS: All First Nations women were identified from a cohort of First Nations people diagnosed with breast cancer in diagnostic periods—1995 to 1999 and 2000 to 2004—and seen at a regional cancer program (RCP) in Ontario. Preexisting diabetes status and other factors, such as age at diagnosis, body mass index, and stage at diagnosis, were collected from medical charts at the regional cancer programs. The association between preexisting diabetes and First Nations status was examined by each of the demographic, personal, tumor, and treatment factors using logistic regression models. Survival was compared between First Nations women with (n = 67) and without (n = 215) preexisting diabetes, adjusted by significant study factors using a Cox proportional hazards regression model. RESULTS: The 5-year survival rate among First Nations women with diabetes was 59.8% versus 78.7% among those without diabetes (P < .01). Preexisting diabetes significantly increased the risk of death among First Nations women with breast cancer (hazard ratio, 1.87; 95% CI, 1.12 to 3.13) after adjustment for age group, period of diagnosis, body mass index, other comorbidities at diagnosis, and stage. CONCLUSION: This study recommends awareness of this survival discrepancy among the treatment team for First Nations patients with breast cancer with preexisting diabetes.