When people hear the words “you have cancer,” the focus often narrows immediately to the tumor—its size, location, stage, and treatment options. But for many, cancer isn’t the only medical condition they’re living with. Other chronic conditions—like heart disease, diabetes, or kidney disease—may be part of the picture too.
That’s where comorbidity comes in. Comorbidities are other health conditions a person has in addition to cancer. And they matter—a lot.
In fact, comorbidities can significantly influence which treatments are safe, what outcomes are likely, and whether certain approaches will do more harm than good (Piccirillo et al., 2008). Nearly 30 such conditions commonly affect cancer treatment and prognosis enough to be considered during care planning (NCI, 2023).
Looking Beyond the Tumor
Doctors have long recognized the role of comorbidities in cancer care. Tools like the Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 (ACE-27) make it easier to document and consider these other diagnoses when making treatment decisions (Piccirillo et al., 2004).
Why does this matter? Because in many cases, the other conditions someone lives with—not the cancer itself—have a greater impact on how they’ll respond to treatment. For example, among men with prostate cancer, comorbidities are often more predictive of survival than the cancer’s size or spread. Similarly, in breast cancer, where survival rates are generally high, coexisting conditions can shape treatment goals and outcomes significantly.
When “More Treatment” Isn’t Always Better
Consider two people with the same cancer diagnosis: One is a healthy 45-year-old with no other conditions. The other is 80, with severe heart failure and diabetes. The best treatment for one may not be safe—or even helpful—for the other.
In some cases, such as slow-growing cancers, the most compassionate, medically sound decision may be to take a “watchful waiting” approach. Studies show that for some patients, aggressive treatment can reduce quality of life or even cause harm (Gross et al., 2006). That doesn’t mean giving up. It means making a decision that reflects the whole person, not just the diagnosis.
The Problem with One-Size-Fits-All
Too often, traditional survival estimates are based on averages—ignoring the full context of a person’s health. That can leave patients and providers without the information they need to make truly personalized decisions.
When comorbidities are left out of the equation, people may be steered toward treatment plans that don’t match their goals, values, or health realities. Including these factors leads to more accurate survival estimates, more relevant conversations, and ultimately, better-informed care (Cho et al., 2013).
How Ardynn Brings Comorbidities into the Conversation
At Ardynn, we recognize that your cancer diagnosis is only part of your story. Our advocates use advanced analytics and real-world data to help you and your care team understand what treatments have looked like for people like you—not just with your type of cancer, but with your full health profile.
We use data from millions of people to show personalized survival curves based on your cancer and comorbid conditions. These aren’t rigid predictions—they’re conversation starters. They’re tools for understanding your choices, your risks, and your possible outcomes in a way that’s tailored to your life, not just your diagnosis.
Whether you’re newly diagnosed or trying to make a hard decision, we’re here to help. Our board-certified advocates will walk with you through every step, combining clinical evidence, real-world outcomes, and your personal values to create a plan that feels right for you. To get started with an advocate, contact Ardynn member services at 737-307-0077 or click here to schedule an introductory call.
References
Piccirillo, J. F., et al. (2008). Comorbidity in cancer: a review of definitions and measurement. CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians, 58(2), 62–76. https://doi.org/10.3322/CA.2007.0010
National Cancer Institute. (2023). Comorbidity in cancer patients: Implications for outcomes and treatment. Retrieved from https://www.cancer.gov
Piccirillo, J. F., & Tierney, R. M. (2004). Adult Comorbidity Evaluation-27 (ACE-27). Retrieved from https://www.researchgate.net
Gross, C. P., et al. (2006). The impact of chronic illnesses on the use and effectiveness of adjuvant chemotherapy for colon cancer. Cancer, 106(8), 1806–1812. https://doi.org/10.1002/cncr.21733
Cho, H., Howlader, N., Mariotto, A. B., et al. (2013). Estimating relative survival for cancer patients: approaches and applications. Journal of the National Cancer Institute Monographs, 2014(49), 187–193. https://doi.org/10.1093/jncimonographs/lgu018
