Strategies to Prevent Cardiovascular Toxicity in Breast Cancer: Is It Ready for Primetime?

Abstract

Cardio-oncology is an emerging field tasked with identifying and treating cancer therapy related cardiac dysfunction (e.g., cytotoxic agents, immunotherapies, radiation, and hormone therapies) and optimizing the cardiovascular health of cancer patients exposed to these agents. Novel cancer therapies have led to significant improvements in clinical outcomes for breast cancer patients. In this article, we review the current literature on assessing cardiovascular risk of breast cancer therapies and discuss strategies (including pharmacological and lifestyle interventions) to prevent cardiovascular toxicity.

Keywords

• cardio-oncology
• cardiotoxicity
• oncology
• cardiology
• primary prevention
• breast cancer
• anthracyclines
• trastuzumab