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Written By: Editorial Team | Published : April 14, 2014 5:55 PM IST
Even as women with diabetes are at higher risk of breast cancer, diabetic women get so hassled managing the chronic condition that they often end up leaving other preventative actions, like screening for cancer, to fall by the wayside, a study has found. Women with diabetes are 14 percent less likely to receive a mammogram compared to women without diabetes. (Read: Exercising reduces breast cancer risk)
'Our study found having diabetes posed a significant barrier to breast cancer screening even after considering a woman's socioeconomic status, a known contributor to disparities in care among women,' said Lorraine Lipscombe, a staff physician at Women's College Hospital in Toronto. (Read: 6 breast cancer symptoms you should never ignore)
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For the study, researchers examined women aged 50 to 69 years with diabetes between 1999 and 2010. Besides diabetes, the researchers found low socioeconomic status as an additional obstacle to preventive care in an already disadvantaged population. To improve cancer screening in diabetes patients, initiatives should focus on support and incentives for diabetes care providers and greater education for more socially disadvantaged populations, added the researchers. (Read: 10 tips to detect breast cancer early)
The study appeared in the journal Diabetic Medicine.
What is breast cancer?
Breast cancer is a type of cancer originating from the breast tissues. Both men and women can be afflicted by it though it's rarer in men. Along with cervical cancer it's one of the most common types of cancer that afflicts women. One of the major issues with breast cancer is that it is often not detected soon enough. This is due to low awareness about the disease. Detecting it early can significantly reduce the death risk. (Read: Breast cancer causes, symptoms, myths, diagnosis, treatment)
For more articles on breast cancer, visit our breast cancer section. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for all the latest updates! For daily free health tips, sign up for our newsletter. And to join discussions on health topics of your choice, visit our forum.
