Researchers from the University of Aberdeen and Keele University analyzed health data spanning 25 years from approximately 22,000 British participants to examine the relationship between cardiovascular disease and cancer risk. The study population included about 11,000 individuals who either had cardiovascular disease at the outset or developed it during the follow-up period.
The analysis revealed notable gender disparities in cancer risk among those with heart disease. Men with cardiovascular disease faced a lifetime cancer risk of 17.3%, compared to 12.8% for women with the same condition. In contrast, men without cardiovascular disease had a cancer risk of 10.2%, while women without the condition showed a risk of 8.2%. Researchers identified smoking, obesity, and excessive alcohol consumption as primary factors driving the elevated cancer rates in men.
The study found that individuals with cardiovascular disease experienced higher incidence and mortality rates for several cancer types, including gastric, oesophageal, lung, bowel, and non-melanoma skin cancers. These increased risks were particularly pronounced in men. Men with cardiovascular disease demonstrated elevated mortality risk specifically from gastric, oesophageal, and lung cancers compared to men without the condition. Researchers suggested that shared risk factors between cardiovascular disease and cancer may explain these associations.
The findings, published in the European Heart Journal, highlight the need for improved medical approaches to address cancer prevention in patients with existing cardiac conditions. Experts noted that current cardio-oncology services have primarily focused on preventing cardiovascular complications in cancer patients, but additional pathways are needed to identify and prevent cancer development in those with cardiac disease. Health officials emphasized that reducing smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, and limiting alcohol consumption remain proven strategies for lowering both cancer and heart disease risk.
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