Breast cancer treatment linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease
A new study in the Journal of Clinical Oncology (JCO) shows that women receiving certain common therapies for breast cancer may be at increased risk for heart attack, stroke, heart failure, other cardiovascular events, and death.
Study authors say that even though more women are surviving breast cancer because of the increased effectiveness of treatments, the linkage of cancer therapy to increased cardiovascular events means researchers must now focus on understanding potential mechanisms and toxicities to develop clinical strategies protecting the heart health of breast cancer survivors.
“We hope to raise awareness that women who are breast cancer survivors must receive comprehensive, ongoing follow-up care and monitoring for cardiovascular risk, and scientists and clinicians must prioritize research that will reduce this risk,” said Dr. Heather Greenlee, associate professor (Medical Oncology) and lead author of the JCO article.