Melbourne, Australia – A new study has delivered some sobering news for older cancer survivors: their risk of developing cardiovascular disease nearly doubles after cancer treatment. This large clinical trial-based research shines a light on the growing need for a better heart-health strategy tailored to elderly cancer patients. It’s something doctors have been noticing for a while, but now, with hard data backing up these observations, it’s time to dig deeper into this connection.
Let’s explore what this means for patients, caregivers, and healthcare professionals—and, more importantly, what can be done to mitigate the risks.
A Closer Look at the Study: How Cancer Doubles the Cardiovascular Risk
Led by scientist Suzanne Orchard from Monash University, the research analyzed data from the ASPREE (Aspirin in Reducing Events in the Elderly) clinical trial, which originally aimed to study aspirin’s impact on preventing cardiovascular issues. While the aspirin findings were underwhelming, the trial left behind a treasure trove of data—especially for studying aging, cancer, and heart disease.
Here’s the eye-opening part: Out of 15,454 elderly participants who had no previous history of cancer, nearly 1,400 were later diagnosed with the disease. By comparing these individuals to their cancer-free counterparts, researchers found that the rate of cardiovascular problems surged from 10.3 cases to 20.8 per 1,000 people per year among those with a cancer diagnosis. In other words, the risk almost doubled.
This means that if you or a loved one are in cancer remission, it’s critical to monitor your heart health, especially after treatment.
Why Does Cancer Increase Heart Disease Risk?
It’s no secret that cancer treatments—particularly chemotherapy—can be hard on the body, but it turns out that these effects extend beyond just fighting tumors. Chemotherapy, for instance, doesn’t just target cancer cells; it impacts the entire body, including the cardiovascular system. The study found that elderly patients who underwent chemotherapy had a significantly higher incidence of heart attacks, strokes, and heart failure.
In fact, certain cancers like lung cancer, blood cancers (such as leukemia), and metastatic cancers showed the highest correlation with cardiovascular disease. That’s crucial information for healthcare providers and survivors alike.
However, the research also brings to light that it’s not just about the cancer or chemotherapy itself. Factors like smoking, which increases both cancer and heart disease risk, play a huge role. “The same lifestyle factors that make cancer more likely—like smoking—also increase cardiovascular risk,” says oncologist Laura Testa from the Institute of Cancer of São Paulo (ICESP).
That’s why it’s essential to look at a patient’s overall health picture—not just focus on the cancer.
What Can Be Done? Practical Steps for Cancer Survivors
The takeaway? If you’re a cancer survivor, your heart health deserves just as much attention as your cancer recovery. So, what can you do?
- Regular Heart Screenings: Early detection can make a huge difference. Work with your doctor to monitor your cardiovascular health before, during, and after cancer treatment.
- Lifestyle Adjustments: Quitting smoking, eating heart-healthy foods, and staying active are powerful ways to reduce your risk of heart disease. Even small changes in diet and exercise can have a significant impact.
- Tailored Treatments: Doctors may need to rethink treatment plans for older adults with cancer, especially if they already have heart conditions or are at high risk for developing them. Personalized treatments and preventive measures, like prescribing cardio-protective drugs, can help manage these risks.
- Collaborative Care: Oncologists and cardiologists should work more closely to ensure that cancer survivors receive holistic care. In fact, some hospitals in the U.S. already have “cardio-oncology” clinics specifically for this purpose.
Why This Matters Now More Than Ever
As cancer survival rates improve, more people are living well into old age post-cancer, but this has led to new health challenges that we didn’t have to face in the past. Heart disease, unfortunately, has become one of them. And while the medical field has started to address the cardiotoxic effects of treatments like thoracic radiation and certain chemotherapy drugs, there’s still a lot of work to be done in making these concerns a part of routine cancer care.
In the United States and other developed countries, there is already a growing culture of pre-treatment cardiovascular screening for patients undergoing heart-stressing treatments. But in many other places, including Australia, these measures are just beginning to gain traction.
And for the millions of people who survive cancer every year, this research represents an important step forward in understanding the full scope of long-term risks—allowing doctors to tailor treatments that not only fight cancer but also protect overall health.
What This Means for You: It’s Time to Take Action
If you’re a cancer survivor—or caring for someone who is—now is the time to take proactive steps. Start by having an open conversation with your healthcare team about how you can manage your heart health in the years following cancer treatment. Preventive strategies like modifying your lifestyle and undergoing regular heart health screenings could make all the difference.
Don’t let heart disease sneak up on you. Cancer survivors today live longer than ever before, and with the right care, there’s no reason heart disease has to cut that short.
