New York, Dec 15: Young adult survivors of childhood cancer are at an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases in the long run, a new study finds.
According to the study published in the British Medical Journal, children who survive cancer have a significantly higher risk of developing conditions such as heart failure, heart attacks or heart disease even up to 30 years after treatment.
Cancer treatments are believed to be the main cause contributing to the condition, the study found.
While chemotherapy increases the risk of heart disease by two to fivefold, the risk associated with radiation exposure augments by two to sixfold.
Scientists concluded that chemotherapy and radiotherapy are life-saving in cancer sufferers but are toxic to the heart.
They therefore urged physicians to monitor cancer survivors for cardiac conditions, particularly when they reach the age in which heart problems become more prevalent.
–Agencies