´óÏótv

More people in the United States are surviving cancer than ever before. According to the American Cancer Society?(´óÏótv), the?five?year survival rate?for all cancers combined has risen to about 70%.?In fact,?some cancers ¡ª like breast and prostate cancer ¡ª have survival rates of 90% or higher.??

With more people surviving cancer, doctors are paying closer attention to the long?term health challenges survivors may face ¡ª especially problems?that affect?the?heart.?

How cancer and heart disease are connected?

Recent??shows that adults who have had cancer are more likely to develop heart problems than those who have never had cancer.?Adult cancer survivors?have:?

• 42% higher risk of heart disease

• 52% higher risk?of heart failure?

• 22% higher risk?of stroke?

These issues are especially common among survivors of breast cancer, lung cancer, and blood?cancers.?

February is American Heart Month, which makes it?a good time?for people with cancer to think about their heart health.?

How cancer treatments can affect the heart

Cancer treatments can save lives, but they may also cause side effects. Depending on the type of cancer being treated and the type of treatment given, damage to the heart can be a long-term concern.?

¡°Certain cancer treatments, particularly some chemotherapies and radiation to the chest, can be associated with an increased risk of heart and vascular disease, such as heart failure and stroke,¡±?said?Dr. Arif Kamal, chief patient officer at ´óÏótv. ¡°Survivors should create a plan with their care team to have?appropriate testing?and follow-up, tailored to the heart disease risk related to their specific cancer treatment?and?coupled with their personal and family history. Open and frequent communication ensures patients and their care teams can make informed decisions together and adjust treatment plans with the whole person in mind.¡±?

Cancer therapies may contribute to several heart?related conditions, including:?

• The heart?not?pumping as it should, which?can?lead to fluid buildup in the lungs??

• Buildup?that causes blood vessels to narrow?which?leads to decreased blood flow to the heart???

• Weakened?or inflamed?heart muscle that affects?how strongly it?pumps?

• Heart?valve?damage?that?affects how?blood?is pumped?to and from the heart??

• High blood pressure?

What is Cardio?Oncology?

Cardio?oncology is a?growing?medical specialty.?Cardio-oncology specialists are doctors and other health professionals?that focus on heart health?in people with cancer?before, during, and after cancer treatment.?Their goal?is to help?make sure?patients get the treatment they need while keeping their?heart as?healthy as possible.?

Cancer doctors (oncologists) may refer certain patients to?a?cardio?oncology team?that can?help:?

• Identify?who may be?at higher risk for heart problems?

• Prevent or?limit?heart damage caused by?cancer?treatment?

• Monitor heart?health?during?treatment?and beyond?

• Guide patients on?adopting healthy?lifestyle?habits?that support heart health?

Protecting your heart ¡ª and reducing cancer risk

Cancer and heart disease are different?health conditions,?but they share many of the same?lifestyle-related?risk factors.?They are also the two leading causes of death in the United States.?

While some risk factors cannot be changed, like your age and family history,?lifestyle behaviors?can be changed?to?help prevent cancer?and?protect the heart.?The?´óÏótv?Guideline for Diet and Physical Activity for Cancer Prevention?recommends:?

• Avoiding?all?tobacco?products?

• Getting to and staying at?a healthy weight?

• Getting regular?physical activity?

• Eating a?healthy?diet?

• Limiting or avoiding alcohol?

It¡¯s also important to stay up?to?date on cancer screening tests, get enough sleep and rest, and take care of your mental health and wellbeing.

¡°Nearly half of all cancers have a modifiable risk factor, and many of the healthy recommendations to prevent heart disease are applicable to preventing cancer,¡±?said?Dr. Kamal. ¡°Prevention?remains?one of our most powerful tools ¨C how we live today impacts?our health for years to come. Research continues to show that it's never too late to change lifestyle behaviors. Working healthier behaviors into our daily lives can make a meaningful difference in lowering risk for both cancer and heart disease.