Most of us know heart disease is the No. 1 killer of Americans, followed
closely by cancer. It is a lesser known fact that cancer therapy can
cause adverse effects on the heart. Lee Memorial Health System is meeting the challenge with a new collaborative effort between cardiovascular medicine and oncologic services.Nationally,
cardiologists are seeing increasing numbers of oncology patients
presenting with cardiovascular problems. With 13.7 million current
cancer survivors in the U.S. and projected increases to 18 million in
2023, that trend is expected to continue.
The Division of Cardio-Oncology is a collaborative effort focusing on three distinct areas:
• Patients
with existing heart disease who develop cancer to ensure their heart
can withstand the stress of treatment. Including an initial cardiac
evaluation, allows for real-time monitoring.
• Those currently
undergoing chemotherapy with cardio toxic agents, to monitor for subtle
changes in cardiac function that may signal an early decrease in cardiac
function.
• Cancer survivors having undergone either radiation therapy with
portals that have included the heart, or received cardio toxic regimens,
need to be followed by cardiology periodically, as part of their
disease surveillance program.
Working with other cardio-oncology programs nationally as well as partnering with the American College of Cardiology
has created a new facet to advance the science of cardio-oncology. This
is a truly a unique challenge. Through these collaborative efforts
it’s expected that in the future we can define best treatments,
surveillance modes and risk factors for developing cardiac toxicities
and work in a more proactive fashion for these patients.
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