When someone is diagnosed with breast cancer, their main concern is beating
the disease. But at
Fox Chase Cancer Center, doctors take a team-based approach to ensure that life-saving treatments
don’t harm the heart in the process.
A collaborative approach to care
At Fox Chase Cancer Center, medical oncologist
Dr. Melissa McShane
specializes in treating breast cancer, while
Dr. Eman Hamad, cardiologist and director of the cardio-oncology program at Temple
University Hospital focuses on heart health. Together, they work to give
patients the best chance of fighting cancer without putting their hearts at
risk.
Melissa McShane, MD
“Dr. Hamad is a cardiologist with an oncology-oriented mindset,” says Dr.
McShane. “That’s exactly who you want on your team when heart health and
cancer care go hand in hand.”
This collaboration is particularly important because heart disease and
cancer are the two leading causes of death in the United States. Research
has shown that certain cancer treatments, lifestyle factors, and genetic
predispositions can increase the risk of cardiovascular disease.
By
integrating cardio-oncology principles, Dr. McShane and Dr. Hamad aim to
reduce this risk while providing comprehensive cancer treatment.
Why some breast cancer treatments affect the heart
Certain cancer treatments can weaken the heart, while
radiation therapy may cause long-term heart damage.
Eman A. Hamad, MD
“It depends on how much radiation the patients get, how close to the heart
it was administered, and the patient’s other risk factors, such as whether
they have coronary disease or blood pressure or cholesterol problems,” Dr.
Hamad said.
To minimize complications, Dr. McShane refers patients with pre-existing
heart conditions (or those at high risk) to Dr. Hamad for preventive care
before starting treatment.
But even patients without prior heart issues can develop them during
treatment. That’s why Dr. McShane closely monitors her patients’ heart
function. If any concerns arise, she immediately refers them to Dr. Hamad,
who evaluates their heart health and provides treatment if needed. Dr. Hamad
also tracks cholesterol and blood pressure levels to catch potential
problems early.
“This is so important,” says Dr. McShane. “If Dr. Hamad can see patients
early and put them on the right medications, we can continue their
life-saving breast cancer treatments without interruption.”
The hidden heart risks of hormone therapy
Endocrine therapy
(hormone therapy) is another treatment that, while effective against the
recurrence of breast cancer, can increase the risk of high blood pressure
and high cholesterol. Dr. McShane advises patients undergoing endocrine
therapy to work closely with their primary care physicians to monitor their
cardiovascular health.
“It’s really important because the majority of breast cancer patients do
really well and we’re able to get them really good prognoses, and what we
don’t want to do is work so hard for their breast cancer and then exacerbate
all these other risk factors for cardiac disease.”
Lifestyle choices make a difference
While medical interventions play a vital role in treatment, lifestyle
factors significantly impact both heart disease and cancer risk.
According
to Dr. Hamad, behaviors such as smoking, obesity, a sedentary lifestyle,
poor diet, and excessive alcohol consumption all contribute to
cardiovascular disease and cancer.
The American Heart Association’s
Life’s Essential 8
provides a strong foundation for reducing these risks:
- Eat a healthy diet
- Exercise regularly
- Avoid smoking and vaping
- Get enough sleep
- Maintain a healthy weight
- Monitor cholesterol
- Control blood sugar
- Manage blood pressure
For people who have had breast cancer, following the Life’s Essential 8
guidelines can help reduce the risk of it recurring. Not smoking,
exercising, and maintaining a healthy BMI “are very well-established,
risk-modifying agents, and so I educate my patients on those,” Dr. McShane
said.
Alcohol, screening, and early detection
Alcohol consumption is another factor that influences both cancer and heart
disease risk. In January, the U.S. Surgeon General issued an advisory
highlighting that alcohol consumption raises the risk of at least seven
types of cancer, including breast cancer.
Regular screenings and early detection also play a crucial role in reducing
cancer and heart disease mortality rates. The
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
recommends women begin getting screened for breast cancer every other year
starting at 40. But, Dr. McShane said, a person with a family member who
developed breast cancer should start getting screened at an age 10 years
younger than the age at which their family member’s breast cancer was
diagnosed.
A future of heart-smart cancer care
As the field of cardio-oncology continues to grow, more hospitals are
adopting a team-based approach to heart health monitoring during cancer
treatment. By working together, specialists like Dr. McShane and Dr. Hamad
are helping patients not only survive cancer but also maintain strong,
heart-healthy lives afterward.
With a holistic approach that integrates heart health into cancer treatment,
patients at Fox Chase Cancer Center
can move forward with confidence knowing that they’re receiving the best
care possible for both their hearts and their recovery from cancer.
If you or a loved one are interested in learning more or wish to request an appointment with a Fox Chase specialist today, click here or call 888-FOX-CHASE.