SHUTTERSTOCK
C A N C E R C A R E
Treat cancer—
(continued on page 24)
We want patients to have
a good quality of life after
they beat cancer.
"
~ Dr. Benjamin Negin,
Inspira Medical Center
Vineland, Vineland, N.J.
"
By Sandra
Gordon
W
hen you or a loved one hears the words
"You have cancer," overcoming the
disease becomes the focus of your life.
Still, it's important not to lose sight of
the big health picture. The fact is, heart
disease remains the No. 1 killer of women, taking more
lives than all forms of cancer combined, according to the
American Heart Association. Some cancer treatments can
take a toll on your heart health, so it pays to pay attention
to your ticker during cancer therapy.
DOUBLE WHAMMY
"Some cancer patients who are receiving chemotherapy
or radiation have an increased risk of developing heart
problems," says Dr. Monica Desai, a hematology and
oncology specialist at St. Luke's Hospital Center for
Cancer Care in Chesterfield, Mo. That's especially true if
you have underlying heart disease or diabetes. By itself,
diabetes increases the risk of heart disease or stroke two
to four times, compared with the risk for adults without
diabetes. You're also at higher risk for heart complications
if you're over 50 and/or receive multiple chemotherapy
agents simultaneously.
The main heart problems that are associated with
chemotherapy or radiation in the chest area include
arrhythmia (abnormal heartbeat), cardiomyopathy
and protect
your heart
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