Imagine that one of our people has cancer and is cured by the treatment given by the doctors. How great that is! But sometimes, due to some of the treatments given to cure that cancer, some heart problems may arise after a while. Why does that happen? Did you know that there is a specialist doctor who researches this connection between cancer and the heart and helps patients? That is the specialist we are going to talk about today.
Simply put, who is this Cardio-Oncologist?
Although this name may sound a bit complicated, its meaning is very simple. Cardio means related to the heart. Oncologist means a doctor who specializes in cancer. A Cardio-Oncologist is a doctor who has received special training in both.
Simply put, these people are either cardiologists or oncologists. But in addition to their primary field, they have received special training in managing heart disease in cancer patients.
We know that cancer treatments, such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy, can prolong the life of patients. However, like everything else, these treatments can have side effects. The most important of these is damage to the heart and blood vessels. Some treatments can cause new heart disease or worsen existing heart disease. In medicine, we call this condition cardiotoxicity .
This is the reason why this special field of medicine called Cardio-Oncology was born. The main goal of this is to identify, monitor, and treat the effects of cancer treatment on the heart in advance. Through this, these specialist doctors help minimize the damage to the heart while providing the most effective treatment for cancer.
Why is such a specialist doctor important to us?
Nowadays, as cancer treatment methods have improved, the number of people recovering from cancer is increasing day by day. This is really a very happy thing. However, the increase in the number of people recovering from cancer also means that the number of people facing the side effects of treatment is also increasing.
Most people who recover from cancer are over the age of 65. The risk of heart problems generally increases with age. In addition, the effects of cancer treatment can increase that risk even further.
That's why the role of a Cardio-Oncologist is so important. They can take everything together, including the cancer, its treatment, age, and lifestyle, to make the best decision about your heart health.
What exactly does a Cardio-Oncologist do?
These specialists diagnose and treat heart disease in cancer patients. One of their main challenges is balancing two sometimes conflicting goals:
- Treating your cancer.
- Protecting your heart.
It's like walking a tightrope. If you gain weight on one side, it can be a problem. So, they work with your oncologist and other doctors to create the best treatment plan for you.
Check out the table below for some of the main things they do.
| The work being done | Simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Risk assessment before treatment | Before starting cancer treatment, your heart condition is checked to see what your future risk is. |
| Conducting the latest tests | Modern scans and other tests, such as an echocardiogram, are performed to detect any problems with the heart or blood vessels. |
| Developing the best treatment plan | They help you choose the treatment that works best for your cancer and minimizes damage to your heart. |
| Monitoring during treatment | Your heart function will be monitored regularly throughout your cancer treatment, so that any problems can be identified quickly. |
| Aftercare after treatment | Even after cancer treatment is over, long-term heart health is monitored, as some problems can arise years later. |
What heart conditions do they treat?
A Cardio-Oncologist primarily focuses on the following heart conditions:
- Heart rhythm disorders (Arrhythmias) , for example (Atrial Fibrillation)
- Coronary Artery Disease
- Heart Failure
- Heart Valve Disease
- High blood pressure (Hypertension)
- Cardiomyopathy (heart muscle weakness)
Who needs to see a Cardio-Oncologist?
Your treating doctor (your family doctor or oncologist) knows this best. Usually, you will see a Cardio-Oncologist based on a referral from that doctor.
Someone in the following groups is more likely to need the help of this specialist:
- People who are about to start cancer treatment, as well as those with risk factors for heart disease: For example, if they have conditions like obesity, diabetes, or high blood pressure.
- People who already have heart disease and are about to start cancer treatment.
- People who develop heart symptoms while undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment: for example, symptoms such as swelling of the legs, chest pain, shortness of breath, extreme fatigue, and rapid heartbeat.
- People who have been treated for cancer in the past (even when they were young) and are now experiencing new heart problems.
- People with a heart tumor.
The only great thing about fighting cancer is that you get over it. So at a time like that, when you have to think about another heart problem, you may feel very tired and frustrated. That's very reasonable. But the most important thing is that you are not alone in this journey. There are specialist doctors like Cardio-Oncologists who are there to help you and guide you in taking care of your heart while treating your cancer.
So, if you have cancer and have any doubts or concerns about your heart health, don't be afraid to talk to your treating doctor about it. He or she can decide whether you need the services of a Cardio-Oncologist and refer you appropriately.
Take-Home Message
- Some powerful treatments for cancer (such as chemotherapy and radiation therapy) can affect your heart.
- A Cardio-Oncologist is a specialist doctor who has received special training in the heart health of cancer patients.
- Their main task is to minimize damage to the heart while providing the best possible treatment for cancer.
- If you already have heart disease or risk factors for it and you are about to begin cancer treatment, it is very important to seek the help of this doctor.
- If you develop any heart-related symptoms during or after cancer treatment, notify your doctor immediately.
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