With emerging and improving cancer treatments, we are seeing people living longer than ever as survivors. Cardio-oncology is an emerging field responding to a worrying concern for cancer survivors: cardiovascular-related morbidity and mortality. In this episode, Caitlin dives into the field of cardio-oncology, the models that explain why patients may be at risk, and our role as Exercise Physiologists. 

The multiple hit hypothesis 

Gilchrist, Susan & Barac, Ana & Ades, Philip & Alfano, Catherine & Franklin, Barry & Jones, Lee & La Gerche, Andre & Ligibel, Jennifer & Lopez, Gabriel & Madan, Kushal & Oeffinger, Kevin & Salamone, Jeannine & Scott, Jessica & Squires, Ray & Thomas, Randal & Treat-Jacobson, Diane & Wright, Janet. (2019). Cardio-Oncology Rehabilitation to Manage Cardiovascular Outcomes in Cancer Patients and Survivors: A Scientific Statement From the American Heart Association. Circulation. 139. e997-e1012. 10.1161/CIR.0000000000000679. 

Compounding risk and protection model 

Kirkham, A. A., Beaudry, R. I., Paterson, D. I., Mackey, J. R., & Haykowsky, M. J. (2019). Curing breast cancer and killing the heart: A novel model to explain elevated cardiovascular disease and mortality risk among women with early stage breast cancer. Progress in cardiovascular diseases, 62(2), 116–126. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pcad.2019.02.002