The Current Cardio-Oncology Landscape Across Australia

Area of Science:

• Cardio-oncology as an emerging medical subspecialty.
• Intersection of oncology and cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Background:

• Cancer therapies improve survival but increase cardiovascular risks in survivors.
• CVD is a leading cause of late mortality in Australian cancer survivors.
• Growing need for specialized cardio-oncology care in Australia.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide a comprehensive overview of the Australian cardio-oncology landscape.
• To outline the development, achievements, challenges, and future directions of cardio-oncology in Australia.

Main Methods:

• Review of the current state of cardio-oncology services in Australia.
• Analysis of achievements, challenges, and future priorities.
• Inclusion of contributions from national professional societies and research initiatives.

Main Results:

• Cardio-oncology services have evolved from grassroots initiatives to structured clinics.
• Uneven access to services exists, with disparities for rural, remote, and Indigenous populations.
• National societies and registries (e.g., ACOR) are advancing research and guidelines.

Conclusions:

• Key priorities include workforce scaling, integrated education, and expanded telehealth models.
• Addressing health inequities is crucial for underserved populations.
• Future initiatives aim to further develop the cardio-oncology subspecialty in Australia.