Endometrial cancer survivors' perceptions of their cardiovascular disease risk (results from WF-1804CD AH-HA)

• Published in: Gynecologic oncology Vol. 174; pp. 208 - 212
• Main Authors: DeMari, Joseph A., Dressler, Emily V., Foraker, Randi E., Wells, Brian J., Smith, Sydney, Klepin, Heidi, Hundley, William G., Lesser, Glenn J., Shalowitz, David I., Nightingale, Chandylen L., Hernandez, Marcia, Weaver, Kathryn E.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 01.07.2023
• Subjects: Cancer Survivors; Cardiovascular disease; Cardiovascular Diseases - epidemiology; Cardiovascular Diseases - etiology; Cross-Sectional Studies; Endometrial cancer; Endometrial Neoplasms - epidemiology; Endometrial Neoplasms - therapy; Female; Humans; Middle Aged; Neoplasms - therapy; Survivors; Survivorship; Endometrial cancer; Survivorship; Cardiovascular disease
• ISSN: 0090-8258; 1095-6859; 1095-6859
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ygyno.2023.05.009

Despite considerable burden of cardiovascular disease (CVD), data on endometrial cancer survivors' CVD perceptions are lacking. We assessed survivors' perspectives on addressing CVD risk during oncology care. This cross-sectional analysis utilized data from an ongoing trial of an EHR heart health tool (R01CA226078 & UG1CA189824) conducted through the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP, WF-1804CD). Endometrial cancer survivors post-potentially curative treatment were recruited from community practices and completed a pre-visit baseline survey, including American Heart Association Simple 7 CVD factors. Likert-type questions assessed confidence in understanding CVD risk, CVD risk perception, and desired discussion during oncology care. Medical record abstraction ascertained data on CVD and cancer characteristics. Results: Survivors (N = 55, median age = 62; 62% 0–2 years post-diagnosis) were predominately white, non-Hispanic (87%). Most agreed/strongly agreed heart disease poses a risk to their health (87%) and oncology providers should talk to patients about heart health (76%). Few survivors reported smoking (12%) but many had poor/intermediate values for blood pressure (95%), body mass index (93%), fasting glucose/A1c (60%), diet (60%), exercise (47%) and total cholesterol (53%). 16% had not seen a PCP in the last year; these survivors were more likely to report financial hardship (22% vs 0%; p = 0.02). Most reported readiness to take steps to maintain or improve heart health (84%). Discussions of CVD risk during routine oncology care are likely to be well received by endometrial cancer survivors. Strategies are needed to implement CVD risk assessment guidelines and to enhance communication and referrals with primary care. Clinical Trials #: NCT03935282 •Few endometrial cancer survivors have >3 ideal cardiovascular metrics as defined by the AHA's Simple 7•Approximately 1 in 6 cancer survivors in our cohort had not seen a PCP or cardiologist within the past year•The majority of survivors acknowledge their risk of cardiovascular disease and wish to discuss it with their oncologist