Friday, October 01, 2010
Sophisticated cancer treatments are responsible for saving the lives of thousands of people each year; cancer survivors are not only living, but living longer – great news for the cancer community. However, experts have now discovered a new challenge: chemotherapy and radiation treatments designed to kill cancer are damaging the hearts of some cancer survivors – especially those who already had heart disease or were at risk for heart disease when they began receiving treatment for cancer.
The Presbyterian Cardiovascular Institute, cardiologists with Mid Carolina Cardiology and Presbyterian Cancer Center oncologists have teamed up to fight this growing problem. Working together, these experts identify the risk of heart disease for cancer survivors or patients currently undergoing treatment for cancer and then take a leading-edge, customized approach to lessening the impact of heart disease on each patient.
The goals of the Presbyterian Cardio-Oncology Program are to:
• Care for patients who have been diagnosed with heart disease in the past and are currently receiving treatment for cancer
• Care for patients who are having heart-related side effects as a result of cancer treatment
• Ensure the best possible heart health for current cancer patients and cancer survivors
• Customize cancer treatment plans in order to reduce the risk of heart-related side effects
• Conduct research that leads to the development of new cancer treatments that are more effective and less harmful to the heart
“This program presents a great opportunity to improve the cardiovascular health of cancer patients and survivors,” said William O. Ntim, MD, FACC, FACP, FASE, a noninvasive cardiologist with Mid Carolina Cardiology.
Richard Reiling, MD, FACS, executive medical director of Presbyterian Cancer Center, adds, “The addition of the Cardio-Oncology Program reinforces our commitment to take care of the whole patient, not just the cancer. We’re excited to bring this new level of comprehensive cancer care to our community.”
Cancer survivors are encouraged to talk with their physician or call 704-384-CARE (2273) to request a free heart screening. New cancer patients should talk with their physician about their heart disease risk and how their cancer treatment plan may be affected. They may be referred to a Mid Carolina Cardiology cardiologist, who will work with their oncologist to design the most effective course of cancer treatment while minimizing its impact on the heart.
