Managing Cardiovascular Risks Associated With Prostate And Breast Cancer

Hormone Therapy is a highly effective way to treat various cancer forms, especially Prostate Cancer and Breast Cancer. Despite their effectiveness, however, these treatments come with their long-term risks. The American Heart Association recently provided a statement regarding these risks in Circulation: Genomic and Precision Medicine.

For example, HRT Regimens designed to treat Prostate/Breast Cancer also increase the chance of dangerous cardiovascular dangers such as stroke and heart attack. According to the American Heart Association, these risks can be significantly mitigated with sufficient awareness and preliminary evaluation.

This report offers updated information regarding the complications associated with various forms of Hormone Therapy. The report is designed to help medical specialists treat cancer effectively while managing the downstream risks associated with Hormone Replacement Therapy.

Breast and Prostate Cancer Treatments Improving

Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in the United States, accounting for 30.3% of cancers in women. Prostate cancer is the most common among males, at 21.5% of all male cancer diagnoses. Aside from skin cancer, most common cancers are associated with hormones.

As cancer therapies become more advanced, fewer patients succumb to cancer itself. In fact, cardiovascular disease is the leading mortality risk among those patients under HRT Treatment for hormone-dependent cancer.

Common Treatments for Breast and Prostate Cancer

Three of the most common Endocrine Treatments for cancer are Selective Estrogen Receptor Modulators, Aromatase Inhibitors, and Androgen Deprivation Therapy: SERMs are designed to eliminate tumor development by preventing cancer cells from feeding off of Estrogen.

These treatments allow Estrogen to act generally in other parts of the body like liver/bone tissue without acting on breast tissue.

Two common SERMs are ralloxifene and tamoxifen. Aromatase Inhibitors suppress estrogen production and are commonly prescribed to women after menopause, especially in high-risk patients.

Letrozole, anastrozole, and exemestane are prominent examples of Aromatase Inhibitors. Androgen Deprivation Therapy refers to treatments designed to treat prostate cancer by cutting off access to the fuel source of Testosterone.

This category is broader. Some prescriptions block Testosterone from Prostate Cancer Cells (and prostate cells). Another option includes medications that suppress the hypothalamic/pituitary activity, which triggers Testosterone production.

Cardiovascular Complications Associated with Cancer Treatment

Unfortunately, all the treatments above can negatively affect the cardiovascular system. For example, Aromatase Inhibitors can increase heart attack and stroke risk, and Tamoxifen can lead to blood clots. Because cancers can become resistant to specific treatments, sometimes patients have to change therapies for the best results against cancer.

Unfortunately, while this improves cancer outcomes, it increases the odds of cardiovascular problems, including blood clots, arrhythmia, and high blood pressure. In men, Androgen Deprivation Therapy causes them to experience the whole gamut of issues associated with Low-T, including impaired glucose metabolism, increased body fat, and heightened triglyceride/cholesterol levels.

For all of the above treatments, the longer a patient is on the regimen, the greater the risks associated with the therapy. Researchers are investigating exactly how duration impacts risks.

HRT Therapy for Cancer was riskiest for patients diagnosed with heart disease and those with multiple risk factors (including a history of stroke/heart disease, smoking, high cholesterol, obesity, and high blood pressure).

The American Heart Association published this report to help doctors and patients understand the risks associated with Prostate/Breast Cancer Treatment and the cardiovascular precautions that should be taken to maximize patient outcomes.

Shortly, there will hopefully be official guidelines to help doctors navigate the heart risks associated with HRT-Based Cancer treatment. Any patient that could benefit from Hormone Therapy for Cancer should first be directed to a cardiologist for testing and consultation.

Word Count: 596