Association of diabetes mellitus and breast cancer in adult men and women: a cross-sectional survey

Abstract Background The co-occurrence of diabetes mellitus and breast cancer poses a significant global health challenge. Most research has focused on Western populations, with genetics, lifestyle, and environmental differences limiting generalizability to Pakistanis. This study aimed to fill this g...

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Main Authors: Rabiya Saroosh, Nazir Ahmad, Beenish Israr, Anum Nazir, Nizwa Itrat, Abdul Momin Rizwan Ahmad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Cancer
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14689-6
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author Rabiya Saroosh
Nazir Ahmad
Beenish Israr
Anum Nazir
Nizwa Itrat
Abdul Momin Rizwan Ahmad
author_facet Rabiya Saroosh
Nazir Ahmad
Beenish Israr
Anum Nazir
Nizwa Itrat
Abdul Momin Rizwan Ahmad
author_sort Rabiya Saroosh
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background The co-occurrence of diabetes mellitus and breast cancer poses a significant global health challenge. Most research has focused on Western populations, with genetics, lifestyle, and environmental differences limiting generalizability to Pakistanis. This study aimed to fill this gap by investigating the diabetes-breast cancer association among Pakistani adults. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2023 to January 2024 at Pinum Cancer Hospital, Faisalabad. 400 participants were categorized as normal, diabetic, cancerous, and diabetic cancerous. Data were analyzed using SPSS with descriptive statistics and inferential tests at p < 0.05 significance. Results Among 9,725 patients, 1.03% had concurrent diabetes and breast cancer. Females showed higher risk with a strong gender association (P < 0.0001) across groups. Significant associations were found for body weight (P < 0.009), BMI (P < 0.014), and fat distribution (P < 0.0001). Dietary factors such as fried fish (P < 0.001), red meat (P < 0.0001), processed food (P < 0.0001), and kitchen practices like overcooked oil (P < 0.003) were significant. Lifestyle factors including physical activity (P < 0.0001) and stress (P < 0.0001), environmental factors such as x-rays, and chemical exposure (P < 0.013) and female-specific factors like postmenopausal status (P < 0.0001) and contraceptive use (p < 0.032), and makeup (P < 0.0001) also showed significant association. Conclusion Diabetes and breast cancer are strongly associated in Pakistani adults, influenced by clinical, dietary, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Personalized prevention and management strategies are crucial to improve treatment outcomes.
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spelling doaj-art-adae0782e595441ebb8311bfecf142982025-08-20T03:45:56ZengBMCBMC Cancer1471-24072025-08-0125111710.1186/s12885-025-14689-6Association of diabetes mellitus and breast cancer in adult men and women: a cross-sectional surveyRabiya Saroosh0Nazir Ahmad1Beenish Israr2Anum Nazir3Nizwa Itrat4Abdul Momin Rizwan Ahmad5Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, The University of FaisalabadDepartment of Nutritional Sciences, Government College UniversityFaculty of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, Institute of Home Sciences, University of AgricultureDepartment of Nutrition and Dietetics, The University of FaisalabadFaculty of Food, Nutrition and Home Sciences, Institute of Home Sciences, University of AgricultureDepartment of Health Sciences, University of YorkAbstract Background The co-occurrence of diabetes mellitus and breast cancer poses a significant global health challenge. Most research has focused on Western populations, with genetics, lifestyle, and environmental differences limiting generalizability to Pakistanis. This study aimed to fill this gap by investigating the diabetes-breast cancer association among Pakistani adults. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted from October 2023 to January 2024 at Pinum Cancer Hospital, Faisalabad. 400 participants were categorized as normal, diabetic, cancerous, and diabetic cancerous. Data were analyzed using SPSS with descriptive statistics and inferential tests at p < 0.05 significance. Results Among 9,725 patients, 1.03% had concurrent diabetes and breast cancer. Females showed higher risk with a strong gender association (P < 0.0001) across groups. Significant associations were found for body weight (P < 0.009), BMI (P < 0.014), and fat distribution (P < 0.0001). Dietary factors such as fried fish (P < 0.001), red meat (P < 0.0001), processed food (P < 0.0001), and kitchen practices like overcooked oil (P < 0.003) were significant. Lifestyle factors including physical activity (P < 0.0001) and stress (P < 0.0001), environmental factors such as x-rays, and chemical exposure (P < 0.013) and female-specific factors like postmenopausal status (P < 0.0001) and contraceptive use (p < 0.032), and makeup (P < 0.0001) also showed significant association. Conclusion Diabetes and breast cancer are strongly associated in Pakistani adults, influenced by clinical, dietary, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Personalized prevention and management strategies are crucial to improve treatment outcomes.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14689-6Cross-sectional studyBody mass indexPostmenopausal statusContraceptivesDiabetes mellitusAssociate risk factors
spellingShingle Rabiya Saroosh
Nazir Ahmad
Beenish Israr
Anum Nazir
Nizwa Itrat
Abdul Momin Rizwan Ahmad
Association of diabetes mellitus and breast cancer in adult men and women: a cross-sectional survey
BMC Cancer
Cross-sectional study
Body mass index
Postmenopausal status
Contraceptives
Diabetes mellitus
Associate risk factors
title Association of diabetes mellitus and breast cancer in adult men and women: a cross-sectional survey
title_full Association of diabetes mellitus and breast cancer in adult men and women: a cross-sectional survey
title_fullStr Association of diabetes mellitus and breast cancer in adult men and women: a cross-sectional survey
title_full_unstemmed Association of diabetes mellitus and breast cancer in adult men and women: a cross-sectional survey
title_short Association of diabetes mellitus and breast cancer in adult men and women: a cross-sectional survey
title_sort association of diabetes mellitus and breast cancer in adult men and women a cross sectional survey
topic Cross-sectional study
Body mass index
Postmenopausal status
Contraceptives
Diabetes mellitus
Associate risk factors
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12885-025-14689-6
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