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Breast Cancer

Breast cancer and cardio-oncology: protection for your heart health during and after your cancer treatment.

Overview

Breast cancer treatments have advanced to improve life expectancy and quality of life. Sometimes, these life-saving remedies may lead to heart problems during and after treatments.

Heart problems in cancer patients, referred to as cardiotoxicity, can be proactively managed with screening and treatment. Cardio-Oncology is an integrative medical specialization that seeks to protect the heart during and after your life-saving cancer treatment.

Patient Handouts

Overview

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Resumen

Snapshot of the Breast Cancer handout in Spanish

Anthracyclines

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HER2

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Exercise

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Heart Effects

It is important to remember that the therapies below are excellent at treating cancer. While they may potentially affect the heart, the overall risks are usually low.

  • Radiation may affect the blood vessels, heart muscle, and/or heart valves in the area receiving radiation.
  • HER2 antagonists (including Herceptin /trastuzumab) and anthracyclines (including doxorubicin, epirubicin, and daunorubicin) can affect the strength of the heart muscle.
  • Hormonal agents (including tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors) can affect the risk of developing clots and increase blood pressure or cholesterol.
  • Immunotherapy works by turning your immune system against cancer. Rarely the immune system can also be activated against the heart.

Frequently Asked Questions About Breast Cancer Treatment

What Symptoms Should I Watch Out For During My Treatment?

What Do I Need To Do If I Already Have Heart Issues?

How Do Surveillance Testing And Monitoring Work?

How Will Symptoms Affect My Cancer Treatment?

How Can I Help Myself?

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