Tailored to a Woman’s Heart: Gender Cardio-Oncology Across the Lifespan

• Published in: Current cardiology reports Vol. 25; no. 11; pp. 1461 - 1474
• Main Authors: Chen, Ming Hui, Epstein, Sonia F.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York Springer US 01.11.2023
• Subjects: Breast Neoplasms - therapy; Cardiology; Cardiotoxicity - etiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - chemically induced; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Female; Humans; Longevity; Male; Medical Oncology; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Neoplasms - therapy; Quality of Life; Section Editors; Topical Collection on Women and Cardiovascular Health; Women and Cardiovascular Health (N Goldberg and S Lewis; Heart failure; Cardio-oncology; Breast cancer; Cardiotoxicity; Menopause; Female sex
• ISSN: 1523-3782; 1534-3170
• DOI: 10.1007/s11886-023-01967-7

Purpose of Review Females outnumber males among long-term cancer survivors, primarily as a result of the prevalence of breast cancer. Late cardiovascular effects of cancer develop over several decades, which for many women, may overlap with reproductive and lifecycle events. Thus, women require longitudinal cardio-oncology care that anticipates and responds to their evolving cardiovascular risk. Recent Findings Women may experience greater cardiotoxicity from cancer treatments compared to men and a range of treatment-associated hormonal changes that increase cardiometabolic risk. Biological changes at critical life stages, including menarche, pregnancy, and menopause, put female cancer patients and survivors at a unique risk of cardiovascular disease. Women also face distinct psychosocial and physical barriers to accessing cardiovascular care. Summary We describe the need for a lifespan-based approach to cardio-oncology for women. Cardio-oncology care tailored to women should rigorously consider cancer treatment/outcomes and concurrent reproductive/hormonal changes, which collectively shape quality of life and cardiovascular outcomes.