Diabetes and the social, biologic, and behavioral determinants of endometrial cancer in the United States

Abstract

Background: Endometrial cancer is one of the most common types of cancer that affects women's reproductive system. The risk of endometrial cancer is associated with biologic, behavioral and social determinants of health (SDOH). The focus of the work is to investigate the cumulative effect of this cluster of covariates on the odds of endometrial cancer that heretofore have only been considered individually.

Methods: We conducted a quantitative study using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) national data collected in 2020. Data analysis using weighted Chi-square test and weighted logistic regression were carried out on 84,118 female study participants from the United States.

Results: Women with diabetes mellitus were approximately twice as likely to have endometrial cancer compared to women without diabetes (OR 1.54; 95%CI: 1.01-2.34). Biologic factors that included obesity (OR 3.10; 95% CI: 1.96-4.90) and older age (with ORs ranging from 2.75 to 7.21) had a significant increase in the odds of endometrial cancer compared to women of normal weight and younger age group of 18 to 44. Among the SDOH, attending college (OR 1.83; 95% CI: 1.12-3.00) was associated with increased odds of endometrial cancer, while renting a home (OR 0.50; 95% CI: 0.28-0.88), having other arrangements (OR 0.05; 95% CI: 0.02-0.16), being divorced (OR 0.55; 95% CI: 0.30-0.99), and having higher incomes ranging from $35,000 to $50,000 (OR 0.35; 95% CI: 0.16-0.78), and above $50,000 (OR 0.29; 95% CI: 0.14-0.62), were all associated with decreased odds of endometrial cancer. As for race, Black women (OR 0.24; 95% CI: 0.07-0.84) and women of other races (OR 0.37; 95% CI: 0.15-0.88) were shown to have lower odds of endometrial cancer compared to White women.

Conclusion: Our results revealed the importance of adopting a comprehensive approach to the study of the associated factors of endometrial cancer by including social, biologic, and behavioral determinants of health. The observed social inequity in endometrial cancer among women needs to be addressed through effective policies and changes in social structures to advocate for a standardized healthcare system that ensures equitable access to preventive measures and quality of care.

Keywords: Behavioral risk factor Surveillance System (BRFSS); Diabetes; Endometrial cancer; Obesity; Race; Social determinants of Health; Weighted Chi-square test; Weighted logistic regression.