Women newly diagnosed with invasive breast cancer (BC) face an increased risk of heart failure if they experience significant weight gain, according to a study published in JAMA Oncology on January 9.
The study, conducted by Dr. Wonyoung Jung and colleagues at the University of Pennsylvania, highlights the importance of managing weight to protect cardiovascular health during and after cancer treatment.
The researchers analyzed data from the National Health Insurance Service database of South Korea, focusing on 43,717 women newly diagnosed with invasive BC who had no prior history of heart failure.
The study excluded those who developed heart failure within one year of diagnosis to better understand long-term risks.
Weight changes were assessed from routine health screenings conducted within two years before and 0.5 to 2.5 years after diagnosis. Participants were categorized based on percentage changes in weight: more than 10% weight loss, 5–10% weight loss, stable weight, 5–10% weight gain, and more than 10% weight gain.
The majority of participants (63.9%) maintained a stable weight. However, 10.7% experienced 5–10% weight gain, and 3.5% had more than 10% weight gain. On the other hand, 15.7% experienced 5–10% weight loss, and 6.1% lost more than 10% of their weight.
The findings showed that weight gain was significantly linked to an increased risk of heart failure. Women who gained 5–10% of their body weight had a 59% higher risk of developing heart failure (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.59), while those who gained more than 10% of their body weight had an 85% higher risk (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.85) compared to women who maintained their weight.
These risks remained significant even after accounting for factors such as age, cancer treatments, pre-existing cardiovascular risks, and socioeconomic status. Interestingly, weight loss—whether moderate or significant—was not associated with an increased or decreased risk of heart failure.
The study’s follow-up period averaged 4.67 years, providing valuable insight into the early years following a breast cancer diagnosis. The researchers emphasized that weight gain during this critical period may have long-term implications for heart health, particularly given the strain cancer treatments can place on the cardiovascular system.
The authors concluded that effective weight management should be a key component of cancer care for women with breast cancer. Addressing weight gain through interventions such as diet, exercise, and medical support could help reduce the risk of heart failure and improve overall outcomes.
This is especially important as cancer treatments like chemotherapy and hormonal therapy are already known to affect cardiovascular health.
For women newly diagnosed with BC, these findings highlight the importance of working closely with healthcare providers to monitor and manage weight changes. By doing so, they can protect their heart health and enhance their overall quality of life during and after cancer treatment.
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The research findings can be found in JAMA Oncology.
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