Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk and Longitudinal Risk Factor Management Among Patients With Breast Cancer

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Cardiology
• Public Health

Background:

• Cardiovascular disease is a leading cause of death for breast cancer survivors.
• Limited data exist on atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk and preventive medication use in this population.
• This study addresses the need for patient-level ASCVD risk assessment and management in breast cancer survivors.

Purpose of the Study:

• To characterize ASCVD risk in patients with nonmetastatic breast cancer.
• To evaluate the longitudinal use of preventive medications for ASCVD in this cohort.
• To identify gaps in ASCVD risk management among breast cancer survivors.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective cohort study of 326 nonmetastatic breast cancer patients.
• Collected data on demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory studies, and medication exposure.
• Calculated 10-year estimated ASCVD risk using nonlaboratory clinical parameters.

Main Results:

• At diagnosis, 7.1% had established ASCVD. Among others, 25.4% had ≥20% 10-year ASCVD risk and 37.6% had 7.5% to <20% risk.
• 66.3% had an indication for lipid-lowering therapy; 57.0% received a statin.
• Blood pressure >140/90 mmHg was common (33.0%-55.6%) at follow-up.

Conclusions:

• Most breast cancer patients in the cohort had elevated ASCVD risk at diagnosis.
• Modifiable ASCVD risk factors were often untreated or uncontrolled post-cancer treatment.
• There is a need for improved ASCVD risk management in breast cancer survivors.