Poster Presentation 2025 Joint Meeting of the COSA ASM and IPOS Congress

What about my heart? Developing a new Australian fact sheet on heart health for people affected by cancer (126345)

Nicole MacKee 1 , Jenni Bruce 1
  1. Cancer Council NSW, Woolloomooloo, NSW, Australia

Background and rationale

With improved cancer survivorship, there is growing recognition of the importance of managing cardiovascular health during and after cancer treatment.1 Cancer and cardiovascular disease share many risk factors, including hypertension, diabetes, high alcohol consumption and overweight/obesity. In addition, the use of cardiotoxic cancer medications is increasing.2

To help patients and survivors understand cardiovascular risks after cancer treatment and how lifestyle measures can reduce these risks, Cancer Council NSW developed Australia’s first widely available patient fact sheet on heart health and cancer.

Methods

To confirm the need for a new resource, Cancer Council NSW first prepared a scoping paper that considered the data and the literature (including a 2023 information audit3) and consulted a range of clinicians.

As part of the established Understanding Cancer series, the fact sheet was written in plain English with clear design and supporting visuals. The work was guided by a review panel of consumers and health professionals, including cardiologists (with an interest in cardio-oncology), medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, clinical nurse consultants, and exercise physiologists.4

The input of the review panel was crucial in ensuring the final resource offered actionable information and a balanced discussion of risks. While the first draft concentrated on cardiotoxic medications and medical monitoring, reviewers recommended shifting the emphasis to the lifestyle changes patients can make to reduce their overall risk. The fact sheet also underscores the importance of maintaining a relationship with a GP during and after cancer treatment.

Results

Understanding Heart Health and Cancer was published in June 2025. This 8-page fact sheet is available to download and print from Cancer Council websites, and is being promoted through Cancer Council’s established networks to cardiologists, medical oncologists, radiation oncologists, and general practitioners for use with patients. Early usage data will be reported on at the conference.

  1. Sverdlov, A. L., Koczwara, B., Cehic, D. A., Clark, R. A., Hunt, L., Nicholls, S. J., Thomas, L., Thornton-Benko, E., & Kritharides, L. (2024). When Cancer and Cardiovascular Disease Intersect: The Challenge and the Opportunity of Cardio-Oncology. Heart, Lung and Circulation, 33(5), 558–563. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hlc.2023.04.301
  2. Daniels, B., Aslam, M., Van Leeuwen, M. T., Brown, M., Hunt, L., Gurney, H., Tang, M., Pearson, S.-A., & Vajdic, C. M. (2023). Prevalence of Australians exposed to potentially cardiotoxic cancer medicines: A population-based cohort study. The Lancet Regional Health - Western Pacific, 39, 100872. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lanwpc.2023.100872
  3. Diaz, A., McErlane, J., Jeon, M. H., Cunningham, J., Sullivan, V., & Garvey, G. (2023). Patient Information Resources on Cardiovascular Health After Cancer Treatment: An Audit of Australian Resources. JCO Global Oncology, 9, e2200361. https://doi.org/10.1200/GO.22.00361
  4. Clinical lead reviewers: Prof Bogda Koczwara, Director, Australian Research Centre for Cancer Survivorship, NSW; Prof Aaron Sverdlov, Cardiologist and Co-Director, Newcastle Centre of Excellence in Cardio-Oncology, Hunter New England Health and The University of Newcastle, NSW.