HMN 2026: How Some breast cancer survivors need closer heart disease monitoring

The racial makeup and socioeconomic status of early-stage breast cancer patients could offer clues about their risk for heart disease, the leading cause of death among breast cancer survivors. Results of a study led by a Cedars-Sinai breast oncologist and published in npj Breast Cancer identified several groups of patients who could benefit from closer monitoring after a breast cancer diagnosis.

“Our study found that—regardless of other medical conditions or the type of cancer treatment received—Black breast cancer survivors and patients living in areas with the lowest per capita income had a higher risk of heart failure over time compared with white patients or those living in areas with the highest per capita income,” said Karissa Britten, MD, breast medical oncologist, member of Cedars-Sinai Cancer and corresponding author of the study.

Looking at data from more than 200,000 breast cancer patients in a National Cancer Institute database, investigators also found that patients of Black, Hispanic, and American Indian/Alaskan Native descent had more advanced and more aggressive tumors, compared with white or Asian American/Pacific Islander patients. Patients from lower-income areas or with lower levels of education also were more likely to have these higher-risk tumors.

“Our Cardio-Oncology Research Program was established to study cardiovascular disease in patients with cancer,” said Robert Figlin, MD, interim director of Cedars-Sinai Cancer. “Our goal is to better understand the risks involved and to develop novel therapies to address them.”

Britten said that no evidence-based guidelines currently exist for heart monitoring of high-risk patients after a diagnosis of early-stage breast cancer, but the study findings point to an opportunity for targeted monitoring and early intervention that could save lives.