June is National Cancer Survivors Month, a time to honor the strength and resilience of people living with and beyond cancer. It also offers a reminder that life after cancer, often called survivorship, includes protecting long-term heart health.
Abdallah Malkawi, MD, an interventional cardiologist with ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care, treats people who develop cardiovascular side effects related to cancer treatment.
“When certain cancer treatments affect the heart and blood vessels, the complication is known as cardiotoxicity,” Dr. Malkawi says. “Depending on the therapy used, it may develop during treatment or years later.”
Joseph Bovi, MD, a radiation oncologist and physician chief of ThedaCare Cancer Care, says in the specialty of cardio-oncology, cancer care and cardiovascular teams work together to address risks.
“Many of the most effective cancer therapies we use today also can place stress on the cardiovascular system, particularly in patients with preexisting cardiac risk factors,” he says. “Having a dedicated cardio-oncology collaboration for our patients allows us to identify problems earlier, intervene proactively and ensure patients can continue receiving potentially life-saving cancer treatment as safely as possible.”
Plan Ahead: Evaluate Your Heart Health
For most patients, the top goal is to treat their cancer effectively. However, some treatments also can negatively affect the heart. These include:
- Certain types of chemotherapy
- Targeted therapy
- Immunotherapy
- Chest radiation
When appropriate, Dr. Malkawi works closely with ThedaCare Cancer Care teams before treatment begins. A baseline heart health evaluation considers a person’s risks regarding past heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, high cholesterol, smoking history and family history of heart problems.
“What we learn helps guide monitoring and supportive cardiovascular care during treatment,” he says.
Together is Better to Beat Cancer
Cardio-oncology focuses on the connection between cancer treatment and cardiovascular health. Oncology teams guide cancer therapy, while cardiology teams help assess heart risk, interpret cardiac testing, manage existing heart conditions and respond promptly if side effects appear. This teamwork helps patients continue important cancer treatment while lowering the chance of serious cardiac complications.
If an oncologist discovers heart health concerns during cancer treatment, Dr. Malkawi doesn’t want them to halt cancer care.
“We can collaborate to care for that person at the same time, so their cancer treatment doesn’t have to stop,” he says.
Working together may include creating a monitoring plan, reviewing medications for interactions, determining the need for additional heart testing and treating symptoms early. Coordinated care also supports the transition into survivorship, when some people still need long-term follow-up for heart health. Patients are an essential part of the team.
“We want our patients to feel comfortable asking about possible heart-related side effects, symptoms to watch for and how their health will be monitored during and after treatment,” Dr. Malkawi says.
Heart Monitoring After Cancer Treatment
Monitoring is important because heart problems may arise before symptoms begin. Depending on the treatment and the patient’s risk level, monitoring may include:
- Echocardiogram
- Electrocardiogram
- Blood pressure monitoring
- Lab testing
- Review of symptoms such as shortness of breath, chest discomfort, swelling, palpitations, dizziness or unusual fatigue
Monitoring does not always end when cancer treatment ends. Some effects may appear later, especially in survivors who received certain therapies that are known to adversely affect the heart.
Survive to Thrive
During National Cancer Survivors Month, we remember that survivorship means more than finishing treatment. It’s also about protecting long-term wellness, including heart health.
ThedaCare teams provide coordinated care, focus on prevention, monitor closely and treat problems early. This helps people balance effective cancer treatment with cardiovascular health, so they can live their best possible lives.
“Cancer treatment today is not only about curing disease, but also about helping patients maintain their long-term quality of life,” Dr. Bovi says. “By partnering closely with our cardiology colleagues before and during treatment, we can better personalize therapy, reduce complications and support survivorship from day one.”
Connect with ThedaCare Cancer Care and ThedaCare Cardiovascular Care to get coordinated support for both your cancer treatment and heart health.
