THE ESSENTIAL
- For approximately four years, 43,717 women who had been diagnosed with invasive breast cancer without heart failure before or within a year of diagnosis were followed.
- After the diagnosis of the tumor, 10.7% of them had gained 5 to 10% of their weight and 3.5% had gained more than 10% of their weight.
- The latter were more likely to have heart failure than those whose weight was maintained.
“Cardiac dysfunction following breast cancer treatment is a growing concern, particularly due to the cardiotoxic effects of therapies, such as anthracyclines and trastuzumab. Heart failure, the inability of the heart muscle to normally propel the heart blood in the body, is a clinically relevant manifestation of this cardiac dysfunction, which affects the long-term health and quality of life of patients. They often experience weight gain, which can constitute a potential risk of heart failure. “indicated researchers from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia (United States).
Breast cancer: weight gain of more than 10% linked to risk of heart failure
As part of a study, they wanted to examine the association between weight changes and the risk of heart failure after the development of breast cancer. For this, the team used the database of the National Health Insurance Service of the Republic of Korea. A total of 43,717 women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer without heart failure before or within a year of diagnosis were followed for approximately four years. Weight change was assessed from screenings performed before (zero to two years) and after (0.5 to 2.5 years) tumor diagnosis and was categorized based on percent changes.
The results, published in the journal JAMA Oncologyshowed that 6.1% of participants had lost more than 10% of their weight, 15.7% had lost 5 to 10% of their weight, 63.9% had maintained their weight, 10.7% had gained 5 at 10% of their weight and 3.5% had gained more than 10% of their weight. After adjusting for cardiovascular risk factors, cancer treatment, and sociodemographic factors, weight gain of 5% to 10% was associated with an increased risk of heart failure. Weight gain of more than 10% was linked to an even higher risk compared to people who maintained their weight during the study. No association was observed between weight loss and risk of heart failure.
“The importance of effective weight intervention in oncology care”
“The results highlight the importance of effective weight intervention in the oncological care of breast cancer patients, particularly in the first years after diagnosis, to protect cardiovascular health,” the authors concluded. As a reminder, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of death in the world.
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