Comorbidities in Australian women with hormone-dependent breast cancer

This retrospective cohort study in Australia investigated how frequently selected chronic diseases developed in women with breast cancer receiving endocrine therapy compared to woman without cancer. Results showed that women with hormone-dependent breast cancer were significantly more likely to develop depression, pain or pain-inflammation, osteoporosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disorders, and gastric acid disorders. As the survival rate of woman diagnosed with breast cancer is continuing to improve, the burden of non-cancer comorbidity is becoming a major health concern in this cohort of patients, but it is still largely unrecognised. Improving the knowledge of the pattern of chronic conditions is important for ensuring effective care and this study further supports the need to develop appropriate models of care to manage comorbidity in breast cancer survivors. Read the full article