Population-based Case-Control Study of Diabetes and Breast Cancer Risk in Hispanic and Non-Hispanic White Women Living in US Southwestern States

Diabetes mellitus has been associated with breast cancer, although no studies appear to have adequately assessed the association in Hispanic women, a population with a high prevalence of diabetes. The authors investigated this association in a population-based case-control study of Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women living in the southwestern United States. Breast cancer cases diagnosed in 1999-2004 were identified through state cancer registries (1,526 non-Hispanic Whites, 798 Hispanics). Age- and ethnicity-matched controls (1,599 non-Hispanic Whites, 924 Hispanics) were selected from commercial mailing lists and driver's license and Social Security records. Diabetes history was assessed through interviewer-administered questionnaires. Odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using logistic regression, adjusting for age, body mass index at age 15 years, and parity. Having any type of diabetes was not associated with breast cancer overall (odds ratio = 0.94, 95% confidence interval: 0.78, 1.12). Type 2 diabetes was observed among 19% of Hispanics and 9% of non-Hispanic Whites but was not associated with breast cancer in either group. Gestational diabetes was inversely associated with breast cancer in both ethnic groups, especially when first diagnosed at age < or =35 years (odds ratio = 0.54, 95% confidence interval: 0.37, 0.79). In this study, diabetes was not associated with breast cancer overall, although the inverse association with gestational diabetes warrants further investigation.