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Cardio-oncology disparities in breast cancer: mapping the social gradient of dual disease burden

Omar Obeidat1, Ali Obeidat2, Qusai Alqudah3

  • 1Division of Geriatrics, University of Texas Medical Branch (UTMB), Galveston, TX, USA.

Current Medical Research and Opinion
|May 21, 2026
PubMed

Insights

Breast cancer survivors face significant cardiovascular disease (CVD) risks, with disparities impacting marginalized groups. Addressing these inequities is crucial for improving long-term health outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Cardio-oncology
  • Health Disparities
  • Cardiovascular Disease (CVD)

Background:

  • Breast cancer and cardiovascular disease (CVD) frequently coexist, impacting survivor morbidity and mortality.
  • Cardiovascular complications are a leading cause of long-term adverse outcomes in cancer survivors, sometimes surpassing cancer-related mortality.
  • Disparities in this dual disease burden exist across various demographic and socioeconomic factors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the current literature on disparities in cardio-oncology for breast cancer patients.
  • To apply theoretical frameworks like intersectionality and structural racism to understand these disparities.
  • To identify strategies for promoting equitable cardiovascular survivorship.

Main Methods:

  • Literature synthesis of current research on cardio-oncology disparities.
  • Application of established social and structural frameworks (intersectionality, structural racism, syndemic theory).
  • Identification and highlighting of clinical, community, and policy-level interventions.

Main Results:

  • Historically marginalized populations experience higher CVD mortality and treatment-related cardiotoxicity.
  • Reduced access to preventive and specialty cardiovascular care is evident in underserved groups.
  • Social and structural factors significantly contribute to adverse clinical outcomes in breast cancer survivors with CVD.

Conclusions:

  • Social determinants and structural factors exacerbate cardiovascular risks and outcomes in breast cancer survivors.
  • Targeted interventions are needed to address racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in cardio-oncology.
  • Promoting equitable cardiovascular survivorship requires multi-level strategies from clinical to policy levels.

Keywords:
Cardio-oncologybreast cancer survivorshipcardiovascular diseasehealth disparitiessocial determinants of healthsocioeconomic statusstructural racism

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