Grant: Operating Grant

Although modern drug treatments for cancer have helped many patients live longer and ore productive lives, their side effects are incompletely understood. As cancer survivors now live longer due to these improvements in care, the potential importance of such side effects is increasing over time. A small number of previous studies suggest that older anticancer drugs may increase the risk of heart disease and stroke among cancer survivors. Whether these studies apply to the types of patients treated today (and the types of treatment used in contemporary practice) is unknown. We will use a large database of Alberta patients to assess whether the risk of heart disease and stroke is increased in cancer survivors, compared to otherwise similar people. We will identify other risk factors for cardiovascular disease (besides cancer and its treatment) such as high blood pressure and diabetes among cancer survivors. This study will help doctors to identify new opportunities to improve the health of cancer survivors, by using preventive treatments that reduce the risk of heart attach and stroke in those who are at especially high risk of these conditions.