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.
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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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