Breast Cancer Awareness for People with Heart Conditions

October brings attention to breast cancer awareness and encourages people to learn more about breast health. Awareness helps people understand risk factors and the importance of early detection and treatment. But breast health is only one part of overall health. For people living with a heart condition or who have a device implanted in their heart, like a pacemaker or LVAD, taking care of overall health matters the most.

Breast cancer care and heart health can sometimes overlap. Some cancer treatments may affect the cardiovascular system, while existing heart conditions can become an important part of treatment planning. This connection has helped establish the field of cardio-oncology, which brings cancer care and cardiovascular care together. This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, take time to think about both breast health and heart health as part of your overall healthcare routine.

Pink Meets Red: Connecting Breast Health and Heart Health

Breast cancer and cardiovascular disease are different conditions, but they can share some risk factors and can intersect during cancer care. According to a statement by the American Heart Association, heart disease and breast cancer have some shared risk factors such as tobacco use, diet, obesity, and physical inactivity. This connection has led to greater interest in cardio-oncology, a medical field that focuses on protecting cardiovascular health during cancer care. 

For someone with an existing heart condition, this connection can become especially important. Healthcare providers may consider heart health when planning cancer treatment and may monitor cardiovascular function when appropriate.

Why Breast Cancer Awareness Matters for People with Heart Conditions

Living with a heart disease should not mean that you ignore the other aspects of your health and completely focus on heart health. You still need regular breast cancer screening according to your age, exposure to risks, family history, and the advice of your doctor.

Breast cancer awareness helps both doctors and patients maintain good overall health. If a person living with an LVAD knows about the screening and risks of breast cancer, they can detect the cancer early, which directly affects the efficacy of treatment. Early detection means catching disease in its early stages and recovering sooner with effective treatment. All this supports your health in both ways.

Can Breast Cancer Treatment Affect Heart Health?

Some breast cancer treatments can affect the heart or blood vessels. The level of risk can vary according to the treatment, dose, and other individual factors. The treatments that are usually used to treat breast cancer may include radiation therapy, chemotherapy, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, hormone therapy, or the combination of any two or more.

Chemotherapy and Heart Health: Some chemotherapy medicines can affect heart function. So your doctor may not prescribe some medications that may affect your heart function.

Radiation Therapy and the Heart: Radiation therapy can form an important part of breast cancer treatment. Modern radiation techniques can help limit exposure to nearby organs, but the location and treatment plan can still make heart health an important consideration, particularly when treatment involves the left breast or nearby areas.

Targeted Therapies and Other Treatments: Some targeted therapies used for breast cancer can affect heart function. Healthcare providers may consider a patient's cardiovascular health when deciding how to monitor treatment.

Hormone Therapy and Cardiovascular Health: Hormone therapy can help treat certain types of breast cancer. Some hormone-based treatments may require some modifications in treatment to support heart health.

These examples do not mean that people with heart conditions cannot receive breast cancer treatment. They show why communication between oncology and cardiovascular care teams can matter.

Breast Cancer Screening When You Have a Heart Condition

People with heart conditions should discuss appropriate breast cancer screening with their healthcare provider. Your recommended screening schedule can depend on factors such as age, personal history, family history, genetic risk, and other individual considerations. When you visit a healthcare provider, make sure they know about your:

• Heart condition

• LVAD status, if applicable

• Current medications

• Previous heart procedures

• Other relevant medical conditions

Providing complete information helps your healthcare team understand your health before recommending any procedure, treatment, or advice.

What People Living With an LVAD Should Know About Breast Cancer Care

People living with an LVAD already work closely with healthcare professionals to manage their heart condition and device. If breast cancer becomes part of their healthcare journey, communication between their care teams becomes even more important.

Make Sure Your Cancer Care Team Knows About Your LVAD

Tell your oncology team that you have an LVAD. Provide the relevant information your LVAD team recommends sharing so your cancer care providers understand your situation.

Keep Your LVAD and Cancer Care Teams Connected

Breast cancer care may involve an oncologist, surgeon, radiologist, primary care provider, cardiologist, and other specialists. An LVAD patient may also work with a dedicated LVAD team. Keeping these healthcare professionals informed can help them consider the full picture when planning effective treatment.

Talk about Planned Procedures in Advance

If you need a procedure, imaging test, surgery, or another type of cancer treatment, discuss it with your healthcare team beforehand. Your LVAD and medical teams can determine whether the treatment requires any special preparation or monitoring.

Keep Your Medical Information Up to Date

Keep an updated list of your medications, medical conditions, allergies, and relevant LVAD information. Having this information available can make it easier to communicate with different healthcare providers.

Questions to Ask Your Healthcare Team during Breast Cancer Care

If you have a heart condition or LVAD, consider asking:

• How does my heart condition affect my breast cancer care?

• Does my LVAD affect any planned procedures or treatments?

• Will I need additional heart monitoring?

• Could my current medications affect my cancer treatment?

• Should my cardiology or LVAD team be involved in my cancer care?

• What should I know before a planned procedure?

• Which symptoms should I report to my healthcare team?

• Who should I contact if I have questions about my LVAD during treatment?

These questions can help you start a clear conversation with the people managing your care.

Taking Care of Yourself While Managing an LVAD

Managing an LVAD involves more than medical appointments. Patients also need to manage their equipment, which involves the LVAD controller and batteries. They need to carry them all the time during everyday activities, travel, healthcare visits, and even sleeping. Keeping the controller and batteries organized and accessible can make daily routines easier.

Choosing Comfortable Clothing for LVAD Equipment

When choosing everyday clothing, LVAD patients may look for features such as:

• Dedicated controller and battery pockets

• Secure storage

• Comfortable materials

• Easy access to equipment

• A suitable fit for everyday activities

Purpose-built LVAD clothing like an LVAD shirt or LVAD vest can provide dedicated spaces for equipment while supporting everyday comfort. For patients who spend time at medical appointments or manage their LVAD throughout the day, practical clothing can become one part of their daily routine.

Health Tips to Support Heart Health and Reduce Breast Cancer Risk

There is no guaranteed way to prevent breast cancer, but some lifestyle choices may help lower the risk. Many of these habits can also support cardiovascular health.

• Stay Physically Active: Regular physical activity can support heart health and may lower breast cancer risk. 

• Maintain a Healthy Weight: Maintaining a healthy weight can support cardiovascular health, and avoiding excess weight gain may help lower breast cancer risk, particularly after menopause. 

• Avoid Tobacco: Smoking can increase the risk of several cancers and can also harm cardiovascular health. 

• Limit or Avoid Alcohol: Alcohol consumption increases breast cancer risk, and the American Cancer Society notes that avoiding alcohol is best for reducing this risk.

• Follow Your Healthcare Plan: People with heart conditions should follow their individualized care plans and take prescribed medicines as directed.

• Stay Up to Date with Recommended Screening: Ask your healthcare provider which breast cancer screening schedule is appropriate for you. Screening recommendations can vary based on personal risk and health history.

Final Thoughts: This Breast Cancer Awareness Month, Remember Your Heart Health Too

Breast Cancer Awareness Month gives people a reason to learn about breast health, screening, and breast cancer risk. It can also serve as a reminder that overall health involves more than one system. Breast health and heart health do not need to compete for attention. Both deserve appropriate care and regular conversations with healthcare professionals.

This October, make room for both conversations: stay aware of your breast health, care for your heart, and if you live with an LVAD, keep your healthcare team informed about your complete health needs.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Can people with heart conditions still have breast cancer screening?

Yes. People with heart conditions can discuss breast cancer screening with their healthcare provider. The appropriate screening schedule depends on individual factors such as age, personal history, family history, and overall risk.

What is cardio-oncology?

Cardio-oncology is a field that brings cardiovascular and cancer care together. It focuses on managing heart health during and after cancer treatment.

Does having an LVAD change breast cancer care?

Having an LVAD may require additional care coordination between the LVAD patient, cardiology, and cancer care teams. Doctors plan the whole treatment that supports both heart health and breast cancer treatment.

How can LVAD clothing make everyday equipment management easier?

LVAD clothing can include dedicated spaces for controllers and batteries. These features can help patients keep equipment organized and accessible during everyday activities and healthcare visits.