A recent study conducted by researchers at MD Anderson Cancer Center suggests that individuals with cardiovascular disease may face a higher risk of being diagnosed with more advanced stages of breast cancer. Published on January 2, 2025, the findings point to a potential connection, though they do not establish a cause-and-effect relationship between the two conditions.
The research revealed that patients diagnosed with more advanced breast cancer were 10% more likely to have a history of cardiovascular disease. While the study highlights this correlation, it does not confirm that cardiovascular disease directly contributes to the progression of breast cancer or vice versa.
“This is the first study to explore the concept of cardiovascular disease potentially leading to more advanced cancers in patients,” explained Kevin Nead, assistant professor of epidemiology at MD Anderson and senior author of the study.
According to the National Cancer Institute, breast cancer remains a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women, with an estimated 42,250 deaths in 2024 alone. The study’s findings could have significant implications for the large number of individuals affected by both conditions.
“Even small increases in risk can affect a large number of people given how widespread these diseases are,” Nead said. “What we’re looking at here are relatively modest increases in risk, but these could have a substantial impact on public health.”
However, Nead urged caution in interpreting the results. “We haven’t yet proven that cardiovascular disease directly causes cancer or more advanced stages of cancer,” he stated. “More research is needed before this can be applied in clinical settings.”
The study sets the stage for further investigations into the relationship between cardiovascular disease and cancer, with potential applications beyond breast cancer. Nead emphasized that future research could explore similar questions related to other types of cancer.
“There’s no reason why this concept should be limited to breast cancer,” Nead said. “Our next steps will involve studying this same question in other types of cancer, particularly those that are considered more indolent, or slow-growing.”
Nead’s team is part of a cancer prevention division, which focuses on preventing cancer and promoting early detection. He highlighted the importance of prioritizing prevention as a means of saving lives.
“At the end of the day, preventing cancer should be our top priority,” Nead said. “If we can’t prevent it, early detection is key. The best outcome is not having cancer in the first place, rather than trying to cure it after the fact.”
As research continues, the connection between cardiovascular disease and cancer remains an area of focus, with the potential to improve both prevention and treatment strategies for these widespread health issues.
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