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Question: What tests will be done to monitor my heart during cancer treatment?
Answer:Your doctor may recommend several tests to monitor your heart health during cancer treatment.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerThese tests could include:
- Echocardiograms (echo): An ultrasound of your heart to assess its function and structure.
- Electrocardiograms (ECG): To check for abnormal heart rhythms.
- Blood tests: To measure heart-related biomarkers and detect early signs of damage.
- MUGA scans: A type of nuclear scan to measure how well your heart is pumping blood.
- Cardiac MRI: In some cases, this may be used for a more detailed view of the heart.
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Question: What types of cancer will benefit from cardio-oncology services?
Answer:Cardio-oncology services are incredibly beneficial for cancer survivors and patients undergoing treatments for cancers that may impact heart health.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerSome cancers that can benefit from cardio-oncology treatments are:
- Breast cancer: Certain chemotherapy drugs (like anthracyclines) and radiation therapy can increase the risk of heart problems, especially if they are used near the chest area.
- Lung cancer: Treatments such as radiation or targeted therapies may affect the heart, particularly when radiation is directed at the chest.
- Leukemia and lymphoma: Chemotherapy drugs used to treat these cancers can sometimes lead to heart complications, such as arrhythmias or heart muscle damage.
- Hodgkin’s lymphoma: Radiation therapy used to treat this cancer, especially when directed at the chest or surrounding areas, can increase the risk of heart issues.
- Prostate cancer: Certain hormone therapies and radiation treatment can sometimes have cardiovascular side effects.
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Question: How common is gastrointestinal (GI) cancer?
Answer:Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are among the most common and impactful types of cancers worldwide. Together, they account for a substantial portion of all cancer cases. Their frequency brings awareness to the importance of early detection, and preventive measures like cancer screenings, which can improve outcomes.
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Question: What causes GI cancer?
Answer:Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers can develop due to a mix of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Family history and inherited conditions raise the risk, while lifestyle habits — like diets high in red meat, smoking, heavy drinking, and obesity — are also major contributors.
Infections, such as helicobacter pylori for stomach cancer or hepatitis for liver cancer, increase risk, as do chronic inflammatory diseases like Crohn’s. Age, certain environmental exposures, and prior cancer treatments can also play a role. While not all causes are avoidable, healthy habits and regular screenings can go a long way in lowering the risk.
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Question: Are there differences in heart failure for women versus men?
Answer:There are key differences in heart failure between women and men, including type, symptoms and risk factors.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerType
Women are more likely to have heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), while men are more likely to have heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
Symptoms
Women often experience more fatigue, nausea and sleep problems, while men tend to have more visible swelling and chest pain.
Risk Factors
Women’s heart failure is often linked to high blood pressure, diabetes and menopause, while men are more likely to have risk factors like coronary artery disease or heart attacks.
Diagnosis
Women may be diagnosed later, as their symptoms can be subtler or mistaken for other conditions.
Prognosis
Women generally live longer with heart failure, but they may experience worse quality of life due to more severe symptoms.
While both genders face similar challenges with heart failure, the presentation, risk factors and impacts can differ.
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Question: Can heart failure be reversed?
Answer:Heart failure usually cannot be fully reversed, but it can be managed. Treatment focuses on relieving symptoms and improving the heart’s function. Managing underlying causes like high blood pressure or heart disease, taking medications and making lifestyle changes can improve quality of life and slow the disease’s progression.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerIn some cases, surgeries or devices like heart valve repair or ventricular assist devices (VADs) may help. While it may not be curable, early treatment can significantly improve heart function and manage symptoms.
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Question: Can you prevent heart failure?
Answer:Preventing heart failure involves addressing the risk factors that can damage the heart and lead to its weakening.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerSome key steps to reduce the risk include the following:
- Manage blood pressure: Keep it below 130/80 mmHg
- Eat a healthy diet: Focus on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and limit salt and sugar
- Exercise regularly: Aim for 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week
- Avoid smoking and limit alcohol: Both damage the heart and blood vessels
- Control cholesterol and blood sugar: Maintain healthy levels to reduce heart damage
- Prevents extra strain on the heart by maintaining a healthy weight
- Manage stress: Practice stress-relief techniques like meditation or exercise
- Treat heart conditions early: Manage existing heart diseases to prevent heart failure
- Get regular check-ups: Monitor heart health and catch issues early
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Question: What are the stages of heart failure?
Answer:Heart failure is typically classified into four stages (Stage A to Stage D) based on the severity of the condition and symptoms. These stages help doctors determine the appropriate treatment and management plan.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerStage A: At Risk for Heart Failure
People in Stage A have risk factors for heart failure, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of heart disease, but do not yet have heart failure or symptoms. Early intervention can help prevent the progression to later stages.
Stage B: Early Heart Failure (Structural Heart Changes)
Stage B includes people who have structural heart changes (like weakened heart muscle or damaged valves) but do not have symptoms of heart failure. They are at high risk of developing full-blown heart failure and may be prescribed medications to prevent progression.
Stage C: Symptomatic Heart Failure
In Stage C, heart failure is present, and the person experiences symptoms like shortness of breath, fatigue and fluid retention. The heart’s ability to pump blood is significantly impaired. Treatment at this stage focuses on symptom control and improving heart function.
Stage D: Advanced Heart Failure
Stage D is the most severe stage of heart failure, where the symptoms are severe and difficult to control, even with aggressive treatments. At this stage, the person may require advanced treatments such as a heart transplant, ventricular assist devices (VADs), or hospice care.
Early diagnosis and treatment can help slow the progression from one stage to another, especially in stages A and B, where intervention can prevent symptoms from developing.
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Question: What are the risk factors for skin cancer?
Answer:There are a few things that can increase your chances of developing skin cancer, but knowing these risk factors can help you take steps to protect yourself. Here are some common ones:
- Sun exposure: Spending much time in the sun, especially without sunscreen or other sun protection, can raise your risk. This includes both intense sunburns and long-term exposure over the years. Tanning beds can also increase your chances.
- Fair skin, light hair and light eyes: People with fair skin, blonde or red hair, and blue or green eyes have less melanin, which protects the skin from UV radiation. This doesn’t mean people with darker skin can’t get skin cancer, but those with a fairer skin tone are at higher risk.
- History of sunburns: If you’ve had severe sunburns, especially during childhood, that can increase your risk later in life.
- Family history of skin cancer: If skin cancer runs in your family, you might be more likely to develop it, too. It’s a good idea to let your doctor know if any close relatives have had it.
- A lot of moles or unusual moles: Having many moles or larger and more irregular moles (sometimes called dysplastic or atypical moles) can put you at a higher risk.
- Weakened immune system: People with weakened immune systems, such as those who have had organ transplants or certain illnesses, are more vulnerable to skin cancer.
- Older age: The risk of skin cancer increases as you get older, simply because of the cumulative exposure to UV rays. But remember, skin cancer can develop at any age.
- Exposure to certain chemicals: Some substances, like arsenic and long-term radiation exposure, can increase the risk of skin cancer.
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerRemember, just because you have one or more of these risk factors doesn’t mean you’ll get skin cancer. It just means you should be extra careful about protecting your skin, like wearing sunscreen, covering up when you’re in the sun and checking your skin regularly for any changes. If you’re unsure, your doctor will guide you in reducing your risk and keeping your skin healthy.
Learn more on our blog about sun protection and skin cancer.
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Question: What are the symptoms of skin cancer?
Answer:Skin cancer can show up in different ways based on the type, but there are some warning signs to watch for. Noticing changes in your skin, especially in moles, spots or areas that don’t seem to heal, is vital. Here’s what to keep an eye on:
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
- A shiny bump or a pinkish patch, often with tiny blood vessels you can see
- A spot that looks like a scar but isn’t related to any injury
- Sores that come and go but never fully heal
- Raised areas with a slightly pearly surface
Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
- A firm, red bump
- A rough, scaly patch that might bleed or become sore
- Flat spots with a dry or scaly surface
- An area that looks like a wound that just won’t heal
Melanoma
- A new mole or a change in an existing one
- Moles with irregular shapes or uneven colors
- A large brown spot with darker areas in it
- A sore that itches, bleeds or just feels different
- Dark spots on your palms, soles or under your nails
Merkel Cell Carcinoma
- A red or purple bump that shows up quickly and grows fast
- Red or purple bumps that appear on areas exposed to the sun, like the face, neck or arms
- Red or purple bumps that are painless but grow faster than most other spots
Continue ReadingCollapse AnswerIf you notice anything that feels off — a new mole, a sore that doesn’t heal or something changing on your skin — it’s a good idea to get it checked out with a dermatologist. Most skin cancers, when caught early, are highly treatable, so catching them sooner rather than later is the best thing you can do. It’s always OK to ask your doctor if you’re unsure.
Learn more on our blog about unexpected skin cancer spots to check.