Heart disease is the leading cause of death among women who survive breast cancer.
Thanks to better screening and improved treatments, more women are living for many years after their cancer diagnosis.
As a result, doctors are paying closer attention to other health problems that may affect long-term survival, especially diseases of the heart.
A new study led by researchers at Cedars-Sinai suggests that a woman’s race and where she lives may provide important clues about her future heart health after early-stage breast cancer.
The findings were published in the journal npj Breast Cancer.
The research team analyzed medical information from more than 200,000 women with early-stage breast cancer using a database from the U.S. National Cancer Institute. They wanted to understand whether certain groups of patients faced a higher risk of heart disease after cancer treatment.
The results showed that Black women were more likely to develop heart failure over time than white women, even after researchers considered other medical conditions and the type of cancer treatment each patient received.
Women living in communities with the lowest average incomes also faced a higher risk of heart failure than those living in wealthier areas.
The researchers also found important differences in the cancers themselves. Black, Hispanic, and American Indian or Alaska Native patients were more likely to be diagnosed with larger, more aggressive tumors than white or Asian American and Pacific Islander patients.
Women living in lower-income neighborhoods or areas with lower levels of education were also more likely to have cancers that were harder to treat.
Heart failure happens when the heart becomes too weak to pump blood efficiently around the body. It can cause tiredness, shortness of breath, swelling of the legs, and reduced quality of life. Some breast cancer treatments can affect heart health, making careful follow-up especially important for survivors.
The researchers believe these findings highlight the need for more personalized care. Today, there are no widely accepted evidence-based guidelines recommending extra heart monitoring for breast cancer survivors who may face higher cardiovascular risk.
Earlier heart checks could help doctors detect problems sooner and begin treatment before permanent damage occurs.
Researchers hope their work will encourage future studies and help healthcare systems identify women who may benefit from additional support, heart screening, and preventive care after breast cancer treatment.
This study is important because it included information from more than 200,000 women with early-stage breast cancer, making it much larger than many previous studies. Using a large national database allowed researchers to identify patterns that may not be obvious in smaller studies.
However, because it was an observational study, it cannot prove that race or income directly caused the higher risk of heart failure. Other factors, such as access to healthcare, lifestyle, environmental influences, and differences in treatment over time, may also contribute.
Even so, the findings suggest that healthcare providers should pay closer attention to patients who may face higher risks and consider earlier heart monitoring and preventive care after a breast cancer diagnosis.
If you care about breast cancer, please read studies about a major cause of deadly breast cancer, and this daily vitamin is critical to cancer prevention.
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