Are you a cancer survivor?
Call 704-384-CARE (2273) to schedule a FREE heart screening.
Heart Disease and Cancer
Cancer survival rates have increased in recent years, partly thanks to new and improved chemotherapy and radiation treatments. These same lifesaving cancer treatments can potentially damage your heart, however – especially if you already have heart disease or are at heightened risk for heart disease. Some of the most common heart-related complications of cancer treatment are heart failure, hypertension, heart arrhythmias and ischemic disease.
The Presbyterian Cardiovascular Institute, cardiologists with Mid Carolina Cardiology and Presbyterian Cancer Center oncologists have teamed up to fight this growing problem. Working together, our experts identify the risk of heart disease for cancer survivors, including 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
For Current Cancer Patients
If you are currently receiving cancer treatment or have just been diagnosed with cancer, talk with your physician about your personal risk of heart disease and how your cancer treatment plan may affect it. You may be referred to a cardiologist, who will screen you to determine your cardiovascular health and select heart disease therapies designed with your cancer diagnosis or cancer history in mind. Working together, your cardiologist and oncologist will develop the most effective course of cancer treatment while minimizing the impact on your heart.
For Patients Who have Had Cancer in the Past
If you have had cancer in the past but are not currently receiving treatment, talk with your physician or call 704-384-CARE (2273) to schedule a FREE heart screening. Based on your results, you may be referred to a cardiologist, prevention specialist and/or heart healthy programs and classes in order to treat existing heart disease or prevent the future development of heart disease.
World-Class Research
In addition to caring for today’s cancer survivors, our physicians, as part of an internationally-renowned research team, conduct cardio-oncology studies in order to better understand cancer treatments and their effects on the heart. These studies will lead to more effective, safer cancer treatments for the patients of the future. Two separate trials are scheduled begin in 2011, and we are actively seeking additional research opportunities in collaboration with other renowned research hospitals.
