Beyond the Pink Ribbon: Understanding the Heart and Health Risks of Breast Cancer in Women

Pink ribbons and red hearts are popular symbols known to help millions of American women become aware of the separate risks associated with breast cancer and heart health issues. What’s often not understood or explained is the distinct connection between the two ailments and how it can potentially exacerbate the conditions for a person struggling to manage both maladies. 

How Breast Cancer Treatment Affects Heart Health

Recent studies show that cardiovascular disease (CVD) has the highest rate of mortality in women. Studies also reveal that breast cancer is the most frequent and leading cause of cancer-related death in women; ironically, these conditions share several common risk factors, and research has shown that breast cancer therapy has a significant risk of CVD in women. Some chemotherapy drugs, like doxorubicin and trastuzumab, have been proven to damage the heart directly. 

Radiation therapy for breast cancer has been reported to cause blocked heart arteries and abnormal heart rhythms. The worst part is that some conditions don’t show up until years down the road, making it hard to detect and manage. 

How Heart Health Can Impact Breast Cancer

Patients who have pre-existing heart issues may be at a higher risk for developing more advanced breast cancer (if not yet diagnosed). Reports have shown that individuals with weakened heart muscles are sometimes not eligible for certain treatments and must wait until the heart recovers to resume, which in some cases, could never happen at all. Other heart conditions, like heart attacks and heart failure, are linked to a higher risk of cancer recurrence, spread, or even death in breast cancer.

Women with severe heart problems and breast cancer will likely face many challenges in treating both conditions, as some cancer treatments require healthier hearts while simultaneously damaging them in the process.

Shared Risk Factors and Managing the Link

Considering their distinct connection, breast cancer and common heart ailments (heart disease, hypertension, heart failure, etc) share common risk factors, such as aging, lack of physical exercise, smoking, obesity, and poor diet. While it appears trivial to manage both conditions if one has them, there are ways to alleviate concerns through certain lifestyle changes, such as regular exercise and necessary nutrition in the everyday diet. Patients could also use tactics in cardio-oncology, which focuses on protecting the heart during cancer treatments. 

Above all else, the best way to manage these health concerns is through a positive lifestyle, consistent screening, and monitoring of associated symptoms. Here at Dr. Sangani & Associates, we understand the complexities of heart health and how it relates to other serious conditions like breast cancer. Our offices specialize in developing personalized, comprehensive treatment plans and consistent monitoring to ensure your heart is healthy and doesn’t “interfere” with other potential issues you may have.

Stay on Top of your Heart Health at Dr. Sangani & Associates

While we don’t focus on breast cancer treatments, we can ensure your heart is strong and healthy to take on any other health concerns. If you or someone you know is struggling to manage their heart health with breast cancer, don’t wait. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Sangani & Associates now so we can address your heart health issues today!

References

American Heart Association News.(2020, February 19). What women need to know about breast cancer and heart disease. American Heart Association. https://www.heart.org/en/news/2020/02/19/what-women-need-to-know-about-breast-cancer-and-heart-disease

Cherukuri, S. P., Chikatimalla, R., Dasaradhan, T., Koneti, J., Gadde, S., & Kalluru, R. (2022).Breast Cancer and the Cardiovascular Disease: A Narrative review. Cureus. https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.27917

López-Fernández, T., Marco, I., Aznar, M. C., Barac, A., Bergler-Klein, J., Meattini, I., Scott, J. M., Cardinale, D., & Dent, S. (2024). Breast cancer and cardiovascular health. European Heart Journal, 45(41), 4366–4382. https://doi.org/10.1093/eurheartj/ehae637