Hi all
I came across this interesting article with some useful questions regarding effects of cancer treatments:
myheartsisters.org/2020/06/14/cancer-treatment-damages-your-heart/
Without treatment we are scr*wed, but because of it - we could be too. I shall be asking some questions at the end of the month after MRI number 4 and 9th cycle of meds… knowledge is power!
B
Hi
Yes it is well known about the effect of certain chemos and Herceptin on heart function but what isn’t known is that having cancer itself can change your heart function.
I have been under the care of experts at the cardio-oncology unit at The Royal Brompton Hospital for over 7 years now. My heart function was so impaired by having FEC chemo I needed a lot of treatment (both medications and ‘procedures’) done to get it back to normal function. The unit is/was a research unit specifically set up to see patients with cancer who experienced heart failure or other problems. It was all done for me under the NHS after my oncologist referred me there, following a TIA (mini-stroke).
I have spoken about their work before both on here, on the radio and in the national newspapers but it’s good to mention it again so thank you for bringing it to other members attention. There are regular cardio oncology seminars worldwide so the news and research should be more widely available at a local level now whereas at the beginning it was only London and I think somewhere up North. In fact my case has been referred to at these global conferences (pre-COVID) as what can be done given the right cardio treatment. I joke with my consultant that I’m his No1 guinea pig as I’ve had it all thrown at me! However I’m so grateful for the work they’ve done and to have been able for them to use my case for research purposes with a view to what I’ve had done becoming more widely available for cancer patients.
Nicky x
Hi Beebs,
Thanks for sharing this, that is very interesting to read! I know from my own experience that I was made aware of the risk of damage to the heart with chemotherapy and radiotherapy (as I had left breast mastectomy and radiotherapy). I recall being told to read carefully through the consent forms for all my treatments before signing them. In radiotherapy I was given a “jelly pad” to put over the chest area that was being treated in order to protect my lung and heart. I also always have an ECG before starting any new treatment.
Its frustrating that cancer treamtent just adds to the piles of worries of things that can go wrong. I agree that knowledge is power and its important to be fully informed before making any decisions.
Nicky, thanks for sharing your experience - its amazing that your case has reached far and wide for research. Its also very reassuring that its something that is being taken on board, especially given that people are now living with cancer for much longer xx