In women with newly diagnosed invasive breast cancer, gaining weight is linked to the inability of the heart muscle to normally ensure the propulsion of blood in the body.
- For about four years, 43,717 women who were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer without heart failure before or in the year following the diagnosis were followed.
- After the diagnosis of the tumor, 10.7 % of them had taken 5 to 10 % of their weight and 3.5 % had gained more than 10 % of their weight.
- The latter were more likely to have heart failure than those whose weight was maintained.
“Cardiac dysfunction following the treatment of breast cancer is an increasing concern, in particular due to the cardiotoxic effects of therapies, such as anthracyclines and trastuzumab. Heart insufficiency, the inability of the heart muscle to normally ensure the propulsion of Blood in the body, is a clinically relevant manifestation of this cardiac dysfunction, which affects the health and quality of life in the long term of patients. “”researchers at the University of Pennsylvania said in Philadelphia (United States).
Breast cancer: weight gain of more than 10 % linked to a risk of heart failure
As part of a study, they wanted to examine the association between weight changes and the risk of heart failure after the development of breast cancer. For this, the team used the database of the National Health Insurance Service of the Republic of Korea. A total of 43,717 women who have received a diagnosis of invasive breast cancer without heart failure before or in the year following the diagnosis were followed for about four years. The weight change was evaluated from screenings made before (zero to two years) and after (0.5 to 2.5 years) the diagnosis of the tumor and was classified according to the percentage changes.
The results, published in the journal Jama Oncologyshowed that 6.1 % of participants had lost more than 10 % of their weight, 15.7 % lost 5 to 10 % of their weight, 63.9 % had maintained their weight, 10.7 % had taken 5 At 10 % of their weight and 3.5 % had gained more than 10 % of their weight. After adjusting cardiovascular risk factors, cancer treatment and socio -demographic factors, a weight gain of 5 to 10 % was associated with an increased risk of heart failure. Weight gain of more than 10 % was linked to an even higher risk compared to people who maintained their weight during the study. No association was observed between weight loss and the risk of heart failure.
“The importance of an effective intervention on weight in oncological care”
“The results highlight the importance of an effective intervention on the weight in the oncological care of patients with breast cancer, especially during the first years following the diagnosis, in order to protect cardiovascular health”, concluded the authors. As a reminder, cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality in the world.