Some breast cancer treatments like radiation, chemotherapy, and targeted therapy, such as trastuzumab (Herceptin®), can cause or increase the risk of heart problems, which is called cardiotoxicity. Therefore, monitoring heart health is especially important for people receiving these treatments. There are clinical trials that monitor and treat cardiotoxicity and treatment-related heart problems.
Read below about heart problems that can be caused by MBC treatment, how people are monitored for heart problems, and trials studying better ways to monitor and treat cardiotoxicity.
Introduction to Treatment-Related Heart Problems
- Memorial Sloan Kettering: Minimizing Cardiotoxicities of Breast Cancer Treatments
- Cleveland Clinic: Radiation Therapy and the Heart
Research Studies on Treatment-Related Heart Problems
- American Heart Association: Women with Heart Failure from Breast Cancer Treatment May Fare Better Than Previously Thought
- American College of Cardiology: Study: Prioritize Cardiac Monitoring for High-Risk Breast Cancer Patients
- Breastcancer.org: Women Treated with Herceptin Need Heart Monitoring No Matter Their Age
- Metastatic Trial Search: MBC Trials for Treatment-Related Heart Problems