Radiation for breast cancer linked to increase in heart problems-

Jojy Cheriyan MD MPH- March 14,2013

News linking radiation therapy to an increased risk of serious heart problems received a substantial coverage in print and online since yesterday.

A new study published in the New England Journal of Medicine yesterday (March 13,2013) reports that women who undergo radiation therapy to treat breast cancer may face a higher risk of certain cardiovascular problems including heart attack.

2,168 breast cancer patients, who had radiation therapy between 1958 and 2001 in Sweden and Denmark, were examined in this study. Doctors found that any amount of radiation was linked to a higher risk of heart attacks, surgeries such as a bypass or angioplasty, or a heart-related death.

Serious health problems related to radiation have always been a controversial public health issue and efforts for reducing radiation exposure by upgrading machines and guidelines are always given priority.

The researchers found that the risk began to increase within a few years after exposure, and that it continued for at least 20 years. The study also found that ,the higher the dose, the higher the risk, and there was some increase in risk even at the lowest level of exposure.

Women who received radiation to the left breast, which is slightly closer to the heart, were at especially high risk. Women with pre-existing heart disease also had a higher risk. Heart problems had higher chance to occur in the first five to 10 years after radiation treatment.

This study is received with a mixed response from experts in cancer treatment centers. Some experts say that despite the risk, the study doesn't mean that the treatment should not be used in breast cancer patients because benefits outweigh risks.

Some doctors disagree with the findings of the study saying that the radiation treatments reported in the study were given using out-dated machines and current machines are safer than the ones used during the period analyzed in the study. Also the dose of radiation used today is much lower than what was used during the time of this study (1958-2001).

Some experts also say that this study is a wake-up call and women especially young women who undergo breast radiation treatment should also be tested periodically for early detection of heart problems. They also point out that the preventive cardiovascular care for women is not adequate when compared to the care given to men.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Post A Comment

Name
Email
Location
Title
Comment

Security Code :

		Reload for a new code

Menu

USEFUL LINKS

CONTACT US